Do you know that an ordinary-looking antique coin called the Lincoln Wheat Penny can be valued up to $100,000 (about ₹83 lakhs)? We use so many coins in our daily lives that we seldom realize that one of them can be extremely remarkable.
In this article, we will tell you what this Lincoln Wheat Penny is, why it is so valuable, and most importantly – how to identify it.
Lincoln Wheat Penny: A common coin, special story
Lincoln Wheat Penny is an old coin of America which was first issued in 1909. This coin comes with a picture of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of America. The coin has the shape of two ears of wheat on the back, which is why it is called “Wheat Penny”.
This coin may be just an old-fashioned penny in the eyes of common people, but the value of coins made in certain years has now reached millions.
Why is it worth $100,000? What is so special about this coin?
The question is, how can a small coin be worth millions?
Actually, some special Lincoln Wheat Pennies have a “minting error” i.e. a small mistake made during manufacturing, which makes these coins extremely rare and precious for collectors.
This happened in some coins made in 1943 and 1944. In 1943, when America was at war, the government started making pennies from steel to save copper. But by mistake some coins were made from old copper stock. These mistakes made those coins “rare collectible”.
The price of some of these coins is being estimated to be $100,000 or more in today’s time.
How to identify these rare Lincoln Wheat Penny?
If you have some old coins or your grandparents have collected old coins, then you may also have this special coin. Pay attention to these things:
1. Year of the coin:
Pennies of certain years like 1943, 1944, 1909-S VDB, 1914-D are considered very valuable. If you have such a coin, then it can be special.
2. Check the material (metal):
The copper coin of 1943 is the rarest. You can check with a magnet – if the coin does not stick to the magnet, then it is probably made of copper.
3. Mint Mark:
The coin may have marks like “D”, “S”, or “VDB” on it, which indicate where it was made. Some mint marks make it even more rare.
4. Condition:
If the coin is clean and unworn, its value can increase even more.
What to do if you find such a coin?
If you think that you have a special Lincoln Wheat Penny, then take these steps:
- Get it checked by a certified coin expert.
- Get it evaluated by Coin Grading Companies like NGC or PCGS.
- Do not sell it to any local shopkeeper without showing it for inspection.
- Look for the right buyer in online auctions or collectors market.
Can such coins be found in India too?
Although Lincoln Wheat Penny is a US coin, many times these coins are found with collectors living in India, or families returning from abroad. Apart from this, in India too, the price of many old coins like King George, British India, or Error Coins of Republic India can be up to lakhs.
Conclusion: Keep your eyes open, luck can change
Lincoln Wheat Penny is a coin that looks very ordinary, but if it is a rare edition, it can change your life. The price of this coin can be up to $100,000 i.e. ₹83 lakhs.
FAQs
Why is the Lincoln Wheat Penny so valuable at $100K?
Some Lincoln Wheat Pennies, particularly those from 1943 and 1944 with minting flaws or unusual compositions, are highly valuable to collectors.
Why is this penny so rare?
Some were accidentally produced from copper rather than steel during wartime or possess unusual mint marks, which make them highly valuable.
Are these pennies still found in circulation?
Though uncommon, they can be discovered in antique coin jars, collections, or family heirlooms. Keep a lookout!
