Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $77 Million – Rare Coin Reportedly Still in Circulation

Published On: March 28, 2025

Imagine flipping through your pocket change and stumbling upon a penny that’s worth millions. Sounds like a movie scene, right? But it’s happened—thanks to the Lincoln Wheat Penny. Some rare versions of this humble coin have fetched jaw-dropping prices at auctions, with one reportedly going for $77 million. So, what’s the deal with this tiny treasure, and how can you spot one?

Table of Contents

1 History
2 Rarity
3 Features
4 Circulation
5 Selling
6 FAQs

History

The Lincoln Wheat Penny hit the scene in 1909, marking the 100th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person, and it stayed in production until 1958. On the front, you’ll find Lincoln’s portrait, and on the back, two wheat stalks framing the words “One Cent.”

What makes these coins especially unique is their composition—95% copper with just a bit of tin and zinc. They were built to last, and many have survived decades of pockets, jars, and drawers.

Rarity

Not every Lincoln Wheat Penny is a jackpot. But a few rare editions have become incredibly valuable over time due to oddities like minting errors or limited production runs.

Here are three specific versions collectors go wild for:

1943 Copper Penny

During World War II, copper was needed for ammunition, so pennies in 1943 were made from zinc-coated steel instead. But by accident, a few were still struck in copper. These copper versions are extremely rare, with only a few confirmed to exist. One of them reportedly sold for over $1 million—and rumor has it, one was valued at a whopping $77 million due to its pristine condition and historical significance.

1909-S VDB

This penny was part of the very first batch of Lincoln Wheat Pennies. “VDB” are the initials of the designer, Victor David Brenner, and “S” means it was minted in San Francisco. Only about 484,000 were ever made, and that small number makes them highly desirable to collectors.

1955 Doubled Die

In 1955, a minting error caused the lettering and numbers on some pennies to appear doubled. This makes it easy to spot—and very valuable. The error is most noticeable on the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.”

Features

So how do you know if that penny in your hand is actually worth something? Here’s what to look for:

Feature	What to Look For
Year	Check for 1909-S VDB, 1943 copper, or 1955 doubled die
Mint Mark	Look for an “S” (San Francisco) or “D” (Denver) below the year
Material	Copper instead of steel in 1943 is super rare
Doubling	Letters and numbers that appear doubled are valuable

Pull out your magnifying glass—it’s time to start inspecting.

Circulation

You might think all these rare coins have been scooped up already. Surprisingly, some are still floating around. People have found valuable pennies in pocket change, coin rolls, or old collections. That’s what makes this treasure hunt so exciting—your lucky day could literally be one coin away.

Selling

If you think you’ve found a winner, don’t rush to sell it on eBay for a few bucks. Here’s what to do:

Authenticate: Use a trusted coin grading service like PCGS or NGC to verify your coin.
Research: Look up similar coins and their recent sale prices.
Sell Smart: Try coin dealers, auctions, or online platforms for collectors.
Go Big: For ultra-rare finds, auction houses like Heritage Auctions can help you get top dollar.

Stumbling upon a Lincoln Wheat Penny worth a fortune is rare—but not impossible. Coins like the 1943 copper penny, 1909-S VDB, and 1955 doubled die are still out there, hiding in collections and loose change. So next time you see a penny, don’t just toss it in a jar. Take a closer look—it might just be your ticket to a life-changing payday.