Check Your Change — A Rare 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny Worth Up to $336,000 Might Be Hiding in Your Pocket

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  • In inherited family collections

  • In jars tucked away in garages and attics

  • Mixed with random pocket change

    • Even today, experts believe that a few undiscovered specimens may still exist.

    That means someone, somewhere, could be holding a penny worth hundreds of thousands — possibly even millions — without realizing it.

    How to Check Your 1943 Penny

    If you have a 1943 penny, here are the simple steps to check it:

    1. Perform a magnet test

    • Steel = magnetic

    • Bronze = NOT magnetic
      This is the fastest way to eliminate fakes.

    2. Examine the color

    • Steel pennies are silvery gray

    • Bronze pennies are reddish-brown

    3. Inspect the date

    Counterfeiters sometimes alter the “5” in a 1945 penny or the “8” in a 1948 penny to make it look like a 1943.

    4. Check the weight

    • Bronze cent: about 3.11 grams

    • Steel cent: about 2.7 grams

    5. Get it authenticated

    If your coin passes the basic tests, send it to:

    • PCGS

    • NGC

    These are the only institutions qualified to authenticate such a rare coin.

    Beware of Counterfeits — They Are EverywhereContinue reading…

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