Yeah—same here. Most of us treat pennies like they’re barely worth the effort. They’re tossed in couch cushions, abandoned in parking lots, or fed into those coin jars we never actually take to the bank.
But what if I told you one of those forgotten little coins could be worth enough to retire on… twice?
We’re talking about a penny—a single cent—that’s been appraised for as much as $1.7 million, with legends floating around of private sales reaching $88 million. (Yes, you read that right. Not $88,000. Million. With an M.)
A Coin Born from Chaos
1943 wasn’t exactly a calm year. With WWII raging overseas, copper was suddenly more valuable as bullets than as coins. So, the U.S. Mint switched gears and began making pennies from zinc-coated steel to conserve copper for the war.
These wartime pennies looked silver-ish, stuck to magnets, and rusted like old screws. Most of them are still floating around today and aren’t worth more than a few cents unless they’re in pristine condition.
But here’s where things get interesting.
Some copper blanks—called planchets—were accidentally left in the coin presses. And when they were struck with the 1943 dies… boom. A handful of 1943 copper pennies were born.
It wasn’t supposed to happen. But it did. And now? Those copper misfits are the holy grail of American coin collecting.
How Many Exist?
Not many. Experts believe 10 to 15 genuine examples exist across all three mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
Some are sitting in museums. A few are in private collections. And others? They’re still out there. Maybe.
It’s that maybe that keeps collectors up at night.
How to Spot a Real 1943 Copper Penny
Think you might’ve found one? Don’t grab the champagne just yet. Fakes are everywhere—and some look mighty convincing. But here’s how you can tell if yours might be the real deal:
| Feature | Real Copper 1943 Penny | Regular 1943 Steel Penny |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Reddish-brown / bronze | Silvery-gray |
| Weight | ~3.11 grams | ~2.7 grams |
| Magnet Test | Does NOT stick to a magnet | Sticks to a magnet |
| Edge | Solid bronze | May show layered steel under zinc |
Bonus red flag: If your “copper 1943 penny” looks like it’s been tampered with or has a strange texture—it’s probably fake. Some scammers even shave down 1948 copper pennies and file the 8 into a 3. Sneaky, huh?
Real-Life Finds That’ll Make You Question Your Change Jar
- A teenager once found one in her grandfather’s coin stash. (Moral: Never throw away old collections.)
- A construction worker found one in his lunch money during the 1950s.
- A cashier in the Midwest caught one in a customer’s change just a few years ago.
Imagine clocking in for a minimum wage shift and walking away with a million-dollar penny.
What To Do If You Think You’ve Got One
- Handle with care. No touching the face—grab it by the edges. Oils from your fingers can wreck the surface.
- No cleaning. Ever. Even a gentle rub can slash the value.
- Get it authenticated. Send it to PCGS or NGC—the top dogs in coin grading.
- Appraise it. A reputable coin dealer can help figure out its market worth.
And whatever you do, don’t list it on eBay for $19.99 and a pizza coupon.
Why It’s Worth More Than Just the Money
Sure, a million bucks is nice. But the 1943 copper penny isn’t just valuable because it’s rare—it’s valuable because of what it represents.
It’s a fluke. A wartime mistake. A scrap of metal that somehow dodged the system. It’s a literal coin tossed into history that never should’ve existed, and yet here it is—making millionaires out of folks who just happened to look closely enough.
It’s not just money. It’s mythology. A reminder that sometimes, even the smallest things have the biggest stories.
Could You Be Holding One?
Let’s not kid ourselves—your odds of finding one are pretty dang slim.
But hey, crazier things have happened. The world’s full of surprises, and that ugly old coin jar in the back of your grandma’s closet? It might just have the surprise of a lifetime.
So go ahead. Check your change. Shake out the piggy bank. Flip over that penny on the sidewalk.
Because the next time someone says, “It’s just a penny,” you can smile and think, Or is it?
FAQs
What’s the actual highest amount one of these has sold for?
The record public auction is around $1.7 million, but rumors of private deals and offers have hit $5 million and beyond. The $88 million figure? Unverified—but it keeps people talking.
Can I find one in circulation today?
Technically, yes. Highly unlikely, but not impossible. A few have shown up in everyday change over the decades.
Are there fakes out there?
Tons. Some are altered 1948s. Others are full-on counterfeits. Always get professional authentication.
How do I weigh a penny accurately?
Use a jeweler’s or coin scale that measures to at least two decimal places in grams.
Are steel 1943 pennies worth anything?
Only in high-grade condition or error variants (like doubled dies). Most are worth a few cents to a couple of dollars.
