Imagine finding a coin in your change that could pay off your house or let you retire early. Check Your Coins That’s exactly what could happen if you come across a rare 1943 copper penny. This coin looks almost like any old penny, but it has sold for over $2 million at auctions. Experts say a few of these rare coins might still be hiding in people’s pockets, piggy banks, or old coin jars. Here’s what you need to know to see if you could be holding a small fortune. Check Your Coins
A Coin Made by Mistake
During World War II, the U.S. government needed copper for bullets and other supplies. So in 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to making pennies out of steel coated with zinc. But by accident, a few copper blanks left over from 1942 got stamped with the 1943 date. This mistake created one of the most valuable coins in U.S. history — the 1943 copper penny. Check Your Coins
While millions of steel pennies were made in 1943, experts believe only about 20 copper pennies exist. That’s why collectors are willing to pay millions to own one. Check Your Coins
How to Check If You Have One
You don’t have to be a coin collector or expert to find out if you’ve got this rare penny. All it takes is a close look and a simple test:
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The date on the coin should read “1943.”
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A normal 1943 penny is silver or grey because it’s made of steel.
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The rare copper penny is brownish-red, like regular pennies before and after 1943.
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Try the magnet test: steel pennies stick to a magnet, but copper pennies won’t.
Use this easy table to compare:
| Feature | Regular 1943 Steel Penny | Rare 1943 Copper Penny |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Silver/grey | Brownish/red |
| Metal | Steel with zinc | Copper |
| Magnetic? | Yes | No |
If your 1943 penny looks copper-colored and doesn’t stick to a magnet, you might have found a treasure.
Why Is It Worth Millions?
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Only a handful of 1943 copper pennies are known to exist.
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The story behind them — a minting mistake during World War II — makes them even more desirable to collectors.
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Coin collecting has become more popular in recent years, driving up prices for rare coins.
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One of these pennies sold for $1.7 million in 2010, and another sold for $2.2 million in a recent auction.
This means the value of these coins keeps going up, making them one of the best finds for anyone lucky enough to have one.
What Should You Do If You Find One?
If you think you’ve found a 1943 copper penny:
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Don’t spend it or throw it into a coin jar.
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Don’t clean or polish it. Cleaning a rare coin can lower its value.
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Keep it in a safe place.
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Take it to a professional coin dealer or a certified coin grading service for an evaluation.
Also, watch out for fakes. Some people try to copper-plate steel pennies or alter the dates on other coins to look like a 1943 copper penny. That’s why it’s important to have an expert check it out.
Could There Be More Out There?
Yes! Many coin experts believe that a few of these rare pennies might still be sitting in old jars, drawers, or collections. Millions of pennies made their way into circulation during the 1940s. So, if you have old coins or loose change around your house, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check them.
The next time you’re counting pennies to roll up for the bank or looking for exact change, don’t rush. That one copper-colored 1943 penny could be your ticket to becoming a millionaire overnight. So go ahead — start checking your coins. A life-changing discovery might be closer than you think!