Imagine finding a penny in a gumball machine… and discovering decades later it’s worth $250,000.
That is not a rumor.
It just happened.
A single Lincoln cent, found 46 years ago, quietly sat in a collection after being sold for $1,000. This week, it was auctioned for $250,000.
And the reason why could change how you look at every penny you own.
Let’s break it down step by step 
The Incredible True Story
- Year found: 1979
- Location: A gumball machine across from the Philadelphia Mint
- Coin: A 1943 Lincoln penny
- Original sale price: $1,000
- Auction sale (January 30): $250,000
What made this penny so valuable?
A minting mistake from World War II.
Why the 1943 Copper Penny Is So Rare
In 1943, the U.S. Mint stopped using copper to save metal for the war effort.
Instead, pennies were made from:
Zinc-coated steel
That means:
- 1943 pennies should look silver-gray
- They should stick to a magnet
But a few copper blanks from 1942 were accidentally left in the presses.
Those blanks were struck with 1943 dies.
The result?
The legendary 1943 Copper Penny — one of the most valuable error coins in U.S. history.
What These Coins Are Worth
Depending on condition and authentication:
- Low grade: $85,000 – $120,000
- Mid grade: $150,000 – $200,000
- High grade: $250,000+
- Museum-quality examples: Over $1 million
Only a few dozen genuine examples are known to exist.
How to Check Your 1943 Penny (Step by Step)
Grab a magnet and follow this:
Step 1: Check the year
Look for 1943
Step 2: Check the color
- Silver/gray = steel (common)
- Brown/reddish = possible copper (rare)
Step 3: Magnet test
- Sticks = steel (normal)
- Does NOT stick = potential jackpot
If all three match, stop immediately and have the coin authenticated by PCGS or NGC.
Bonus Tip: The “AM” Penny That’s Worth Money Too
You were also given a powerful second clue most people miss.
Flip your penny over and look at the word:
AMERICA
If the A and M are separated, not touching, you may have a valuable variety.
This applies to:
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
These are called:
Wide AM reverse varieties
They regularly sell for:
- $50 – $300 raw
- $500 – $2,000+ graded
One example recently sold for $132.
Important Rules
If you think you found something valuable:
Do not clean it
Do not polish it
Do not spend it
Do not sell it to a pawn shop
Store it safely
Get professional authentication
Cleaning can destroy up to 90% of the value instantly.
Final Thoughts
A penny found in a gumball machine turned into $250,000.
Another sold this week for $132 because of two tiny letters.
And millions of people still ignore the coins sitting in their homes.
Sometimes real wealth hides in the smallest places.
So tonight…
Take out your pennies.
Check the year.
Flip them over.
And look closely
