RARE 1965 US PENNY WORTH MORE THAN $1 MILLION – PENNIES WORTH MILLIONS
The image shows a thumbnail for a video or article, featuring a large, close-up shot of a 1965 U.S. penny. The penny, which is a Lincoln cent, appears to be in circulated condition. The date “1965” is clearly visible below the profile of Abraham Lincoln. An exaggerated red arrow points directly at the date. To the right of the coin, a woman with a surprised or shocked expression is featured. She has wide eyes, her mouth is open, and she is holding her glasses up on her head with one hand. Above her, in large, green, bold text, are the words “$1 Million.” The overall impression is that this thumbnail is designed to be highly attention-grabbing and to create a sense of intrigue and high value associated with a common coin.
This thumbnail is a perfect example of “clickbait” in the numismatic world. The claim that a common 1965 U.S. penny is worth more than $1 million is a sensational one, designed to entice viewers to click and learn more. The visual elements—the surprised woman, the bold text, and the pointed arrow—all work together to amplify this extraordinary claim.
In reality, a standard 1965 U.S. Lincoln cent is not worth anything close to that amount. Millions of these coins were minted, and they are still a very common part of American circulation. A typical 1965 penny in average circulated condition is worth only face value, or perhaps a few cents to a beginner collector. Even in uncirculated, pristine condition, its value would be minimal, likely under a dollar. The extreme rarity and value of a coin typically comes from a mint error or a very low mintage number. While mint errors do exist for many years, including 1965, and can increase a coin’s value, they would not elevate a common-date coin to a seven-figure price tag.
The thumbnail is a prime example of a video creator or a website using a highly improbable claim to attract an audience. The title “RARE 1965 US PENNY WORTH MORE THAN $1 MILLION – PENNIES WORTH MILLIONS” further reinforces this fantasy, targeting those who might be sorting through old change and hoping to strike it rich. While it’s true that some rare pennies from other years and with specific errors can be worth thousands or even a million dollars, the 1965 penny shown here is almost certainly not one of them. The thumbnail’s purpose is to generate curiosity and views, playing on the human desire to discover a hidden treasure in plain sight.
