A Coin Craze Ignites
Claims of a Lincoln Wheat Penny valued at $150 million, supposedly still in circulation, have set X abuzz, with sites like lkouniexam.in fueling the hype. Minted from 1909 to 1958, these pennies are collector favorites, but no Wheat Penny has ever sold for more than $1.7 million, with a 1943-D Bronze Penny holding that record in 2010. The $150 million figure lacks credible evidence and likely stems from exaggerated posts or confusion with other rare coins. Let’s explore the truth behind this claim and highlight the rarest Wheat Pennies.
Why Some Pennies Shine
The Lincoln Wheat Penny, designed by Victor D. Brenner, features Lincoln’s portrait and wheat stalks symbolizing prosperity. During World War II, copper shortages led to 1943 steel pennies, but a few bronze errors slipped through, making them ultra-rare. Other valuable coins, like the 1909-S VDB, have low mintages, and errors like the 1955 Doubled Die boost value. X claims of $150 million are unverified, with top sales like the 1943-S Bronze ($504,000, 2020) and 1944-S Steel ($408,000, 2021) far below.
Top Rare Pennies
- 1943-D Bronze Penny: One known, sold for $1.7 million (2010). Copper, non-magnetic, “D” mark.
- 1943-S Bronze Penny: ~6 known, worth $282,000-$504,000. Copper, “S” mark.
- 1944-S Steel Penny: 2 known, worth $373,750-$408,000. Magnetic, “S” mark.
- 1909-S VDB Penny: 484,000 minted, worth $600-$168,000. “S” and “V.D.B.” on reverse.
- 1955 Doubled Die Penny: ~20,000-24,000, worth $1,000-$114,000. Doubled text, no mint mark.
Key Specifications
| Penny | Mintage | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1943-D Bronze | 1 | $840,000-$2.3M |
| 1943-S Bronze | ~6 | $282,000-$504,000 |
| 1944-S Steel | 2 | $373,750-$408,000 |
| 1909-S VDB | 484,000 | $600-$168,000 |
| 1955 Doubled Die | ~20,000-24,000 | $1,000-$114,000 |
Could It Be Out There?
While 15-40 bronze or steel error pennies may still circulate, the $150 million claim is a myth, as no auction supports it. Check old jars for 1943 copper (non-magnetic, 3.11g) or 1944 steel (magnetic, 2.7g) pennies, but most are likely in collections. Authenticate finds via pcgs.com or ngccoin.com. The real value lies in history, not billions your penny could still be a treasure