
Is a $15,000 Penny Hiding in Montana? Check Your Change!
Hey Montana, let’s talk about pocket change. You know, those pennies you toss into your car’s cupholder or the jar on your kitchen counter. Turns out, one of those little copper coins could be worth a whopping $15,000. Yes, you read that right. Time to start digging, right?
The $15,000 Penny: What's the Deal?
Back in 1982, the U.S. Mint made a switch from copper to zinc for pennies. It wasn’t a clean break, though, and a few copper pennies still got made. They’re like the unicorns of the coin world. Rare, magical, and valuable to collectors.
Here’s how to spot one:
- Date: Look for a penny dated 1982 with a tiny “D” (for Denver) under the year.
- Weight: Copper pennies are heavier, around 3.1 grams. Zinc ones are lighter at 2.5 grams. A kitchen scale can help you here.
- Small Date: This rare penny has slimmer numbers, especially the “2.” Google some pics to compare—trust me, it’s worth it.
@thecoinchannel Everyone wants to find this $15,000+ penny!!! #findingmoney #collectibles #coin #coins #fyp grade with @PCGS ♬ Love Frequency - Nilos Levi & Dalvana Teresinha de Oliveira Lopes & Théo Levi de Oliveira Lopes
Treasure Hunting, Montana Style
Let’s be honest, Montana is all about hidden treasures, from gold rushes to sapphires found in the creek. Now, the next big find might just be jingling around in your pockets. So, whether you’re in Billings, Missoula, or somewhere in Big Sky Country, start sifting through that spare change.
Armed with the knowledge of knowing what to look for, my son and I tried sorting through our pennies. We never found a 1982 penny, but we did find a 1943 wheat penny that is supposedly worth $1. I would call that a WIN!
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Gallery Credit: KC
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