One of the rarest circulating coins in U.S. Mint History, a 1943 bronze Lincoln cent. (U.S. Coins and Jewelry)
Check your pockets, piggy bank, and change drawer — you may have a penny minted in 1943 that’s worth up to $235,000.
The backstory:
In an effort to conserve copper during World War II, pennies minted in 1943 were struck in steel with more than a billion "steelies" produced at the three U.S. mints. But a few old copper blanks remained in the presses at the time and were struck with the 1943 date. Today, U.S. Coins and Jewelry says there are an estimated 20 pennies valued at $235,000 in existence.
During World War II, in an effort to conserve copper for the war effort, 1943 cents were struck in steel but a few old copper blanks remained in the presses and were struck with the 1943 date. (U.S. Coins and Jewelry)
What we know:
U.S. Coins and Jewelry in Houston recently acquired one of the coins that a Houston-area family had in their possession since purchasing it from a coin collector in the 1960s. The Houston family’s coin was certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and valued at $235,000.
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What they're saying:
"The 1943 bronze cent is one of the most frequently submitted and most widely misidentified coins we see," said PCGS President Stephanie Sabin. "The overwhelming majority turn out to be common steel cents or copper-plated counterfeits. Confirming a genuine example, as we did with the XF40 specimen, is rare. "
"It's very likely there are pennies out there that are similar to this particular 1943 bronze Lincoln cent. There are said to be other pennies with rare varieties that are as scarce as this coin," said U.S. Coins and Jewelry, and co-owner Kenny Duncan Jr.
The coin is listed among the top few in "100 Greatest U.S. Coins," published by Whitman Publishing.
"Having an example of this ultra rarity is a dream of a lifetime. Few examples are ever offered, and outside of the Smithsonian and American Numismatic Association collections, getting to view one is a privilege few get," said Duncan Jr.
Dig deeper:
According to U.S. Coins and Jewelry, there are stories dating back to the mid-century that Henry Ford would give a new automobile to the first copper example found. Ford denied such claims, but the rumors persisted and, in 1947, a copper example was discovered by a teenager who received it in change when he made a purchase at his high school cafeteria. Since then, U.S. Coins and Jewelry says only a handful of the coins have been discovered, and are rarely offered for public sale.
What you can do:
The public can get an up-close look at the coin which will go on display at U.S. Coins and Jewelry’s second-floor showroom In Houston beginning Saturday, Oct. 3. The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Source: This article includes information from U.S. Coins and Jewelry, and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). This story was reported from Orlando.