The humble penny might not seem like much, but one rare Lincoln Wheat Penny is valued at thousands of dollars—and it could still be in circulation today.
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. Featuring Lincoln’s profile on the front and wheat stalks on the reverse, the coin remained in production until 1958, when it was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial penny.
While many Wheat Pennies are worth only face value, certain years and variations are incredibly rare and valuable. The most sought-after Lincoln Wheat Pennies include the 1909-S, 1914-D, 1943 (copper), and 1955 (double die error). These coins typically feature small mint marks under the year or unique misprints, making them highly desirable among collectors.
What makes this story even more exciting is that these valuable pennies are still in circulation—meaning someone, somewhere, could unknowingly have a fortune sitting in their pocket change.
The Fate of the Penny
Despite the incredible value of rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies, the future of the penny itself is uncertain. President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the U.S. government to stop production of the one-cent coin, citing its declining purchasing power.
Advocates for eliminating the penny argue that it no longer serves a practical purpose and is costly to produce. According to the U.S. Mint, it costs nearly 4 cents to manufacture a single penny—far more than its actual worth.
However, supporters of keeping the penny point out its usefulness in charity drives and its lower production cost compared to the nickel, which costs nearly 14 cents to mint. Despite multiple efforts to phase out the penny over the years, none have been successful—until Trump’s surprising announcement.
“Only tradition explains our stubborn attachment to the penny. But sometimes traditions get ridiculous,” the Farmers’ Almanac wrote back in 1989.
Could You Have a $100 Million Penny?
With the U.S. Mint producing 3.2 billion pennies last year alone, the likelihood of finding a valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny may seem small—but it’s not impossible.
Collectors are always on the hunt for these rare coins, and given that some are still in circulation, a simple glance through your change could turn up a fortune.
If you happen to find a Lincoln Wheat Penny with one of the rare mint marks or errors, it might be worth consulting a coin expert. Who knows? You could be holding one of the most valuable coins in history.
While the penny’s future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: it’s still worth checking your spare change.
