Paying top dollar

for your diamonds since 1980

Get Rich By Selling A Penny

Posted on May 19th, 2022 by Joe G

Whether you’re a seasoned coin collector, professional coin dealer, or someone with a loose change jar lying around the house, you may be lucky enough to find a valuable penny in your collection. It isn’t just Gold & Silver coins or old US paper currency that’s of great value these days. Some pennies can be worth a considerable amount of money.

If you own valuable coins and currency and are looking to sell coins in Chicago, bring your collection to Chicago Gold Gallery. The experts at our shop have the numismatic experience and knowledge to provide you with an immediate top-dollar offer.

1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny

Pennies were typically made with nickel and copper, but in 1943 the United States needed the metals to produce goods for World War II efforts. Because of this, the mint started using steel to produce the penny.

However, the mint mistakenly produced a batch of about 40 pennies with copper. It is believed that somewhere around 20 of these coins remain in circulation today.

They are often counterfeited due to the easy nature of altering steel pennies by coating them in copper and changing the date the coins were struck.

If you believe you have a genuine 1943 Lincoln Copper Penny, you have found yourself a nice payday. While a regular steel 1943 Lincoln penny may fetch you around 10-40 cents, the rare special copper versions have been known to realize in the tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars!

At a 2019 auction, one of these pennies sold for $204,000. That penny had been held onto for over 70 years by the same person since he was a young boy after finding it on the floor in his school cafeteria.

While the condition of the coin is extremely important and will predicate the final value and price, the record auction price for a 1943 Lincoln Copper Penny is $1.75 million, back in 2010. If you do happen to find what appears to be a 1943 copper penny, do not attempt to clean or polish it in any way. Call and make an appointment with us so we can verify that your find is genuine.

Keep in mind this is for the copper 1943 penny, not to be confused with the steel gray color 1943 penny.

Cash in Your Coins at Chicago Gold Gallery

We buy coins in Chicago at our location at 1236 W. Devon Avenue since 1980. Bring your collection to our coin shop today. Whether you have a rare Lincoln penny, silver dollar, coins collectibles, or other gold and silver foreign coins, we want to see them. Any condition, we will buy and pay Top Price$.

← Back

Customer Testimonial

Had a Great Experience

I have dealt in coins and metals since the 80s. Had dealings with many dealers. Got scammed by a few. Chicago Gold is the only one I would recommend to my family or friends. Have your valuables appraised by them before you sell.


Date: 05/12/2022 • 5 / 5 stars ★★★★★

Awesome place!

What a super knowledgeable gemologist. After all that experience also they are soooo willing to help and answer all the questions I had. Excellent experience. They went above and beyond for me. Highly recommended. Super trustworthy.


Date: 01/20/2022 • 5 / 5 stars ★★★★★

I'll be back

Cashed in some silver coins and received a very fair exchange. Joe and Chris, were very friendly, and comfortable to deal with. Came back with some jewelry, and received a rough appraisal...again no pressure.


Date: 10/17/2023 • 5 / 5 stars ★★★★★

I would do business with them again

Good people who are honest, open and friendly. I'm glad I found them and not too far from my area.


Date: 01/02/2024 • 5 / 5 stars ★★★★★

How to Reach Us?

Get Directions

Contact Us

Get the most for your valuables.

1236 W. Devon Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660

Phone: 773-338-7787 Email: chgogoldgallery@aol.com

Hours: Mon- Fri: 10:15am-6pm, & Sat: 10:15am-5:00pm

Especially Wanted

  • Gold & Silver Coins
  • Bullion Gold, Silver, & Platinum
  • Scrap & Old Gold
  • Sterling Silverware
  • Dental Gold
  • Coins & Coin Collections
  • Franklin Mint
  • Collectibles
  • Rare Coins
  • Antique & Modern Jewelry
  • Diamonds
  • Watches - Rolex, Patek Philippe
  • Broken Jewelry
  • Tiffany & Company - Cartier
  • Vintage & Modern Guitars