In the face of a national penny shortage, businesses are getting creative by offering snacks, beverages, and gift cards in exchange for these elusive coins. Some even warn customers about potential discrepancies in their change. This has many people eyeing their penny jars, wondering if they’re sitting on a small fortune.

However, before you start dreaming of riches, it’s important to note that most pennies aren’t worth more than those enticing offers. Their value largely hinges on specific details like the mint year, the presence of wheat sheaves, and, if you’re exceptionally fortunate, a set of three initials.

In recent times, certain pennies have fetched impressive sums at auction, with some even reaching into the hundreds of thousands or more. On rare occasions, a penny has been known to sell for over $1 million.