The Lincoln Wheat Penny: A $121 Million Treasure Hunt

Historical Significance: Minted in 1909 to honor Lincoln’s 100th birthday, it was the first U.S. coin with a president’s portrait.

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Design Details: Features Lincoln’s profile and wheat stalks on the reverse, earning the "Wheat Penny" nickname

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1943 Copper Error: A rare 1943 copper penny, mistakenly minted during WWII, drives its immense value

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Extreme Rarity: Only about 10-20 authentic 1943 copper pennies exist, making them highly coveted.

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Valuation Hype: Claims of $121 million are unverified; the highest verified sale was $1.7 million in 2010.

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Other Valuable Variants: 1909-S VDB and 1955 Double Die pennies also fetch high prices.

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Still in Circulation?: Rare pennies may still be in pocket change or old collections.

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How to Identify: Check 1943 pennies for copper (non-magnetic) and key dates like 1909-S.

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Collector Appeal: Combines rarity, history, and the thrill of finding treasure in everyday change.

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Expert Advice: Authenticate with professionals; never clean coins to preserve value.

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