Have you ever heard of the rare 1943 copper wheat penny? This coin, which was accidentally minted with copper instead of steel, could be worth over $85,000 if it’s in perfect condition. In 1943, pennies were supposed to be made of steel to conserve copper for World War II. However, some copper blanks got mixed into the minting process, leading to a few rare copper pennies. These “error” coins are now highly sought after by collectors, with some selling for up to $85,000 or more, depending on their condition. Even pennies in less-than-perfect shape can sell for around $60,000.

However, there’s a catch: counterfeit versions of these pennies are circulating. Scammers might alter a 1948 penny or cover a steel penny with copper to make it look authentic. To verify a genuine 1943 copper penny, use a magnet. Copper won’t stick to a magnet, but a steel penny with copper will. If you’re lucky enough to find one of these rare pennies, you could be holding a small fortune!