Dick Johnson writes:

It's just a common looking penny with Lincoln on the front and wheat ears or stalks on the back. Did I say it's made of copper and had the date, 1943, to the right of Lincoln? Whoops, that makes this coin one of the ultimate in errors made by the United States Mint, and its value jumps from one cent to about $250,000.00!

Wow, that sure isn't common!

All but one of the currently known examples of this true rarity were pulled from circulation by alert collectors. As the coins from penny jars of older generations find their way into circulation, there could be another 1943 copper penny lurking in merchants' cash drawers!

So keep your eyes open and check your change. If you find a penny that looks copper in color and has "1943" to the right of Lincoln, bring it to the Money Show of the Southwest at the George R. Brown Convention Center, this Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 3-5. Who knows, you may be the next lucky person to claim the rare coin jackpot!

If your discovery isn't the real thing, you can still get up close and personal with the $250,000.00 example as it is on public display from this Thursday to Saturday.

And by all means, if you see a penny on the ground, be sure to pick it up. Who knows, it could be your lucky day!

To read the complete article, see:Houston Coin Club's �Money Show" Dec. 3-5(www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/11/30/greater_houston
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