It started as a simple spring cleaning project—dust off the shelves, empty out drawers, and maybe clear a few forgotten corners of the attic. But what one woman from Ohio found inside an old, worn-out handbag has stunned coin collectors and casual onlookers alike.
Nestled at the bottom of the purse, among faded receipts and vintage lipstick tubes, was a Lincoln penny now believed to be worth thousands—far more than the handbag ever was.
An Ordinary Discovery That Turned Extraordinary
The purse belonged to the woman’s late grandmother and had been untouched for decades. It was stored in a box of keepsakes, waiting for someone to sift through its contents. When the woman opened the bag, she found a few coins in the zipper compartment. One of them stood out immediately—a 1943 Lincoln penny that appeared to have a strange, silvery color.
Curious, she took a closer look and realized it wasn’t the usual copper color of most Lincoln cents. After a bit of research, she learned that some 1943 pennies were struck in steel due to wartime metal shortages. But some extremely rare versions were accidentally minted in copper that year—and those are the ones that could be worth a small fortune.
A Potentially Rare Mint Error
Experts believe the penny found in the purse might be one of those highly coveted 1943 copper Lincoln cents. These coins are often referred to as “the million-dollar penny” due to their rarity and skyrocketing auction values.
What makes the 1943 copper penny so rare? During World War II, copper was needed for ammunition and other war supplies, so the U.S. Mint used zinc-coated steel for pennies that year. However, a small number of copper blanks from the previous year accidentally made it into the minting presses—resulting in a few genuine 1943 copper pennies being struck and released into circulation.
Only a handful of these pennies are confirmed to exist. If authenticated, the coin could fetch upwards of $100,000 or even more at auction depending on its condition and origin.
Handbag’s Value: $20 — Coin’s Value: Possibly $100,000+
The handbag itself is estimated to be worth no more than $20 at a vintage shop. But the penny inside? That’s a different story entirely. Professional coin graders and numismatists have expressed interest in examining the coin to confirm its authenticity. If it turns out to be the real deal, it would be one of the most unexpected coin discoveries in recent memory.
This isn’t the first time an everyday item has turned into a treasure chest. Coin collecting often thrives on chance discoveries—old jars, dresser drawers, or childhood piggy banks revealing rare minting errors or discontinued series. But it’s not every day that a coin tucked into a forgotten handbag can potentially outvalue luxury accessories.
Caution for Aspiring Treasure Hunters
While this story has captured national attention, experts urge caution. Not every old coin is valuable, and misidentifying a coin can lead to disappointment. If you believe you have a rare find, the best course of action is to get the coin professionally graded and authenticated by reputable organizations like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company).
The Growing Fascination With Coin Finds
Stories like this are fueling a growing interest in coin collecting across the U.S. Social media platforms and coin forums are buzzing with users sharing their own discoveries, some hoping to strike it lucky. And as inflation and economic uncertainty linger, people are turning to collectibles like rare coins as alternative stores of value.
Also Read:- Coin Discovered in Guitar Case Turns Out to Be a Rare War-Era Nickel
Final Thoughts
A dusty old purse may have just delivered a remarkable piece of American coin history. Whether it ends up in a private collection or a national auction house, this Lincoln penny has certainly proven one thing—sometimes, the real treasure isn’t what you’re looking for, but what you forgot you had all along.
