The first 1943 copper cent was sold in 1958 for more than $40,000. In 1996, another went for a whopping $82,500. But those sales pale in comparison with the latest: this week, a dealer in New Jersey sold his 1943 penny for a staggering $1.7 million.
A 1958 Lincoln, Doubled Die Obverse cent sold in a GreatCollections auction has become the first Lincoln cent and first non-gold 20th century coin to sell for more than a million dollars.
The value of coins varies and depends on factors such as low mintage, condition, grade, and production errors. In 2010, the 1943 Steel penny traded for an all-time record of 1.75 million USD during an auction.
The 1943 copper pennies are one of the most valuable coins. At auctions, the average price of a 1943 copper penny ranges from as low as $100,000 to $250,000 in average condition. At PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), the graded 1943 copper penny can be valued from $1 million to $1.5 million.
A one-of-a-kind 1943 U.S. penny accidentally struck in copper rather than zinc was sold by a New Jersey dealer in 2010 for $1.7 million, with the proceeds given to charity. The new owner is a Southwestern U.S. business executive who wishes to remain anonymous.
The title of Australia's rarest penny, while many think it's the 1930 penny, actually goes to the ones made at the Melbourne Mint in 1945. Featuring Thomas Humphrey Paget's effigy of King George VI and the jumping kangaroo reverse, only four pennies were produced at the Melbourne Mint that year.
Only 3,000 of the regular 1930 pennies were made and were only released directly through the Royal Australian Mint's visitor program and not put into circulation. “It is the holy grail and they can sell [for] up to $1 million,” The History of Money said.
1) 1944 Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000. 2) 1943 Copper Wheat Penny - $250,000. 3) 1856 Flying Eagle Penny - $25,000. 4) 1873 Indian Head Penny - $10,000.
The 1959 D Lincoln Mule Memorial penny remains one of the most controversial and rare coins. Though not graded, it remains one of the rarest coins. The penny is worth about $50,000. 1959 pennies you need to look for!
An Extremely Fine coin with traces of mint red might be worth $20, almost uncirculated coins worth perhaps $50-$75. A full red uncirculated 1943 penny from the Melbourne, Perth, or Bombay Mint is worth up to $250.
A 1943 Lincoln penny that soared in value because it was made from the "wrong" material reportedly has sold for $1 million. The penny was erroneously made of bronze instead of zinc-coated steel at the San Francisco Mint, according to UPI news agency.
1943 Wheat Penny (back)
There was still material left in the mint presses from the 1942 production so they accidentally made one batch out of copper. Only about 20-40 of those pennies are out there. A used one, as most are, can net you from $100,000 – $500,000.
One of the rarest pennies cost a Beverly Hills man a pretty penny. At an auction last Thursday, Kevin Lipton shelled out $2,585,000 for the Birch Cent, a penny made in 1792 that is named after its engraver, Robert Birch. It's the most money ever paid for a one-cent piece.
The 1944 wheat pennies are no longer in production. Other than that, some have rare errors. These errors make them desirable to collectors. Additionally, the penny is entirely made of copper.
The 1943 Lincoln penny is made up of copper and has been described as the "most famous" coin made in error, according to Heritage Auctions, which is auctioning off the coin. Only 20 were ever made and for years the U.S. government denied its existence, but one coin was found by Don Lutes Jr.
If your 1943 penny is made out of copper, it is worth quite a bit of money, generally $10,000 or more! The reason is that the 1943 copper penny is an error coin. The United States Mint accidentally used the wrong planchet metal when striking the coin. But very, very few of these left the U.S. Mint facilities.
The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent is considered to be the most famous error coin made by the U.S. Mint and could be worth more than $300,000.
A Rare 1943 Wheat Penny In Your Coin Jug Could Be Worth $100,000 or More. To say that I was excited when I found a 1943 Wheat penny in an old coin collection would be an understatement.
However, they are nowhere near as valuable or rare as the 1930 Penny. An average condition 1925 Penny would be valued in the range of $100 - $150. An average condition 1946 Penny would be valued in the range of $50 - $60. An average condition 1930 Penny can be a $15,000 - $20,000-plus proposition.
The 1930 penny is one of the rarest Australian coins, due to a very small number being minted, and holds the record as the most valuable copper penny in the world. It is highly sought after by coin collectors, and a 1930 penny in very fine condition can be worth A$45,000 or more.
Watch for low mintage years like 1955-S, 1939-D, 1933-D, and 1931-S. Depending on condition, rarer pennies are worth more. Look for all-copper pennies. Old pennies made before 1982 are 95% copper, which gives them an inherent metal value.
A million pennies equal $10,000. There are 100 pennies, or cents, in each US dollar.
A new $2 coin commemorating the end of the Vietnam War has skyrocketed in value and is now selling for up to $1,200 online. The Royal Australian Mint released two $2 coins earlier this month to commemorate 50 years since the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War.