Heritage Auction, Dean Drobot, fotoblend Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $124M You Could Have at Home
Although it looks like a common coin, this penny featuring Abraham Lincoln can reach a million-dollar value
Sometimes, great treasures aren't hidden in vaults or museums, but in the most unexpected place: a common wallet. Many people might have a genuine fortune in their hands without knowing it. The most surprising thing is that we're talking about a simple penny, seemingly worthless.
The protagonist of this story is the Lincoln wheat penny, a historic coin that has reached an extraordinary valuation: 124 million euros. Although it may seem like an absurd figure, there are very specific reasons that explain this astronomical price. Rarely has such a small object caused so much interest among collectors and experts.
A Commemorative Piece That Made History
This coin was issued in 1909 to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. It was designed by Victor David Brenner, becoming the first American coin to include a president's portrait. This detail marked a turning point in the history of money in the United States.
What truly distinguishes the wheat penny is its reverse: two wheat ears surround the words "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." This design was used until 1958, when it was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial. Although many of these pennies still exist, only some special specimens have an incalculable value.
A large part of this coin's appeal lies in its rarer versions. Some minting errors, or issues made under exceptional historical circumstances, are especially sought after. This is the case with certain unique specimens like the legendary 1943 copper penny.
The Error That Turned Copper Into Gold
During World War II, copper became a strategic material for manufacturing ammunition and wiring. To save this resource, in 1943 pennies were made of zinc-coated steel. However, due to a flaw in the process, some copper blanks from the previous year weren't removed from the plates in time.
The result was a very limited number of copper pennies dated 1943, considered a historical accident. It's estimated that fewer than twenty exist worldwide, which multiplies their market value. Some of these coins that are in perfect condition have been auctioned for millions of euros, and one of them has reached the aforementioned record of 124 million.
Beyond its rarity, what fascinates about this coin is the possibility that there are still specimens in circulation. Finding one would be like winning the lottery without having bought a ticket. The humble wheat penny shows that the most valuable objects sometimes go unnoticed, waiting to be discovered.
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