10/02/2026
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).
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.
