PCGS-Graded Bronze 1943 Lincoln Cent Sells for Over $1 Million

(Newport Beach, California) – Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) graded an extraordinary Lincoln Cent that was recently sold in a private sale for over one million dollars.

PCGS MS63RD Bronze 1943 Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse)

The bronze 1943 Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse) is the single finest known, with a grade of PCGS Mint State 63 Red (MS63RD). The coin is now in The Dazzling Red Collection of Lincoln Wheat Cents belonging to an anonymous collector. The coin will be on display at ANA’s Money Museum and again at the 2018 ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, PA from August 14 to 18, 2018.

The collector who recently purchased the coin, prefers to remain nameless about the transaction. Paul Gilkes, Editor of Coin World confirmed that the selling price of the rare cent was over $1 million. The collector was represented in the sale by Bob Paul Rare Coins, located in Philadelphia.

In 1943, all three U.S. Mint branches produced hundreds of millions of Lincoln Wheat Cents in silver-colored zinc-coated steel. Copper was in demand in 1943 because of WWII and the need for ammunition shell casings made of pure copper. In 1943 the U.S. Mints accidentally produced a total of 15 bronze cents, making this an extremely rare numismatic treasure. The opposite mistake was made in 1944, when the mint accidentally produced some steel cents using leftover plachets from the previous year. PCGS recently graded a 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse) Mint State 62 (MS62), though PCGS has graded examples up to MS64.

PCGS MS62 Steel 1944 Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse)

Novice collectors often get this information confused, believing that their steel 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent or their copper 1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent is valuable. These coins are common in average circulated grades, and only in pristine mint state are they collectible.

Mike Sherman, Director of Education for PCGS, said, “it’s always exciting when there’s another million-dollar coin sale. It proves the rarity and value collectors place in these uncommon Mint Errors. This piece in particular is a beautiful example of a very rare and valuable coin.”

To view the million-dollar PCGS MS63RD 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent, Wheat Reverse and more information about, go to https://www.pcgs.com/cert/32839117. Also see the recently-authenticated and top-5 graded PCGS MS62 Steel Lincoln Cent, Wheat reverse, at https://www.pcgs.com/cert/34859787.

Since its founding in 1986, PCGS experts have certified over 38 million coins with a total market value of over $32 billion. For information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.