A 10-year-old boy in Pennsylvania stumbled upon a penny that turned his family’s life upside down! While sorting through loose change, he found a rare Lincoln Wheat penny now valued at $1.9 million. This tiny coin, with its wheat stalk design, was a rare gem hiding in plain sight. Collectors are buzzing about the find, and it’s sparking a frenzy to check pocket change. Here’s the story of this incredible penny and how to spot one like it.
A Lucky Find in Loose Change
In March 2025, young Tommy Carter was helping his mom count change from a grocery store trip when he noticed a penny that looked different. It was a 1943 Lincoln Wheat penny, but instead of the usual steel, it was copper. This rare error happened during World War II when the U.S. Mint accidentally struck a few pennies in copper instead of steel to save metal for the war. Tommy’s penny, confirmed as a 1943-S copper penny, sold at auction for $1.9 million, letting his family pay off their home and start a college fund.
How to Spot the Million-Dollar Penny
Finding a penny like Tommy’s takes a sharp eye. It looks like a regular Lincoln Wheat penny, with Abraham Lincoln on the front and wheat stalks on the back, but it’s made of copper, not steel. A simple magnet test can help—copper won’t stick, but steel will. Here’s a guide to check your coins:
| Feature | 1943-S Copper Penny | Regular 1943 Penny |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Copper (shiny brown) | Steel (silver-gray) |
| Magnet Test | Doesn’t stick | Sticks to magnet |
| Mint Mark | “S” under the date | “S” or none |
| Weight | 3.11 grams | 2.7 grams |
- Check the date: It must say “1943.”
- Look for the mint mark: An “S” under the date is key.
- Test with a magnet: If it doesn’t stick, it’s copper.
- Weigh it: A copper penny is heavier at 3.11 grams.
Where These Pennies Might Be
These rare pennies could be anywhere! They’ve been found in change at stores, old piggy banks, or even family coin jars. Another 1943 copper penny was found in a school cafeteria in 2019 and sold for $1.2 million. Check rolls of pennies from the bank, loose change from a gas station, or your parents’ old coin collections. Tommy’s find shows that treasures can hide in the most ordinary places.
What to Do If You Find One
If you think you’ve got a 1943-S copper penny, don’t clean it or spend it! Cleaning can scratch it and lower its value. Take it to a trusted coin dealer or appraiser to confirm it’s real. Store it in a soft plastic holder to keep it safe. Tommy’s family worked with a local coin shop to verify their penny, and it changed their lives. A genuine find could mean a huge payday for you too!
Start Your Coin Hunt
Tommy’s $1.9 million penny has everyone checking their change! The 1943-S copper Lincoln Wheat penny is super rare, with only a few known to exist, but more could be out there. Next time you get a penny, take a closer look. That little coin in your pocket might just be a life-changer, just like it was for Tommy and his family!