In a small town in Ohio, a dusty old tackle box turned out to be hiding a treasure worth nearly a million dollars. Last month, 62-year-old retiree James Carter was cleaning out his late father’s fishing gear when he stumbled across a 1943 steel penny. This rare coin, one of only a few known to exist, sold at auction for an eye-popping $875,000. The discovery has sparked excitement among coin collectors and everyday folks alike, proving that hidden gems can still be found in the most unexpected places.
A Surprise in the Rust
Carter, a former mechanic, was sorting through his father’s belongings in the garage when he found the tackle box. Inside, among rusty hooks and tangled fishing line, was a small cloth pouch. Curious, he opened it and found a handful of old coins, including one that looked different a shiny, silver-colored penny. “I thought it was just a weird coin, maybe a fake,” Carter said. He took it to a local coin shop, where the owner’s jaw dropped. It was a 1943 steel penny, a rare mistake from the U.S. Mint during World War II when pennies were briefly made of steel instead of copper to save metal for the war effort.
Why It’s So Special
During 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to steel for pennies, but a tiny number of copper pennies were accidentally made. These “error coins” are among the most valuable in American history. Experts estimate fewer than 20 genuine 1943 copper pennies exist today. Carter’s penny was authenticated by a top grading service, which confirmed it was one of these rare copper mistakes. Its pristine condition, despite years in a tackle box, made it even more valuable.
| Coin Type | Year | Material | Estimated Surviving | Auction Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Steel Penny | 1943 | Copper | Less than 20 | $875,000 |
| Standard 1943 Penny | 1943 | Steel | Millions | $0.10 – $1 |
The Auction Frenzy
When news of the find spread, collectors went wild. The penny was put up for auction at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, where bidding started at $100,000. Within minutes, offers climbed into the hundreds of thousands. “It was like watching a feeding frenzy,” said Sarah Miller, a coin expert at the auction house. The final bidder, an anonymous collector from California, paid $875,000, making it one of the highest prices ever for a single penny. Carter, who watched the auction online, said he nearly fell out of his chair when the gavel dropped.
A Life-Changing Windfall
For Carter, the money is a game-changer. He plans to pay off his home, help his grandkids with college, and maybe take a fishing trip in honor of his dad. “I still can’t believe it,” he said. “Dad always said his tackle box had some good luck in it.” The story has inspired others to dig through attics and basements, hoping to find their own hidden treasure. Coin experts warn, though, that most 1943 pennies are the common steel kind, worth only a few cents.
A Reminder of Hidden Treasures
This incredible find shows that history can hide in plain sight. The 1943 steel penny, a tiny piece of World War II-era America, turned a routine cleanup into a life-altering moment for one man. Collectors say stories like this keep their passion alive, reminding everyone to keep an eye out for the unexpected. Who knows? The next big discovery could be sitting in your own dusty box of memories.
