Because they are quite common, a 1943 penny in circulated condition is not worth much. According to USA Coin Book, a steel penny from 1943 in circulated condition is worth between 16 cents and 53 cents. However, Heritage Auctions sells 1943 steel pennies in pristine, uncirculated condition for more than $1,000.
How do I know if my 1943 penny is bronze?
The easiest way to determine whether or not your 1943 Cent has collectible value—to see if it is possibly bronze rather than steel—is simply to test it with a magnet. If the coin is magnetic, then it is, unfortunately, the common steel version and is not valuable in most cases.
What were pennies made out of a 1943?
During World War II, the war effort required a lot of copper to make shell casings and munitions. In 1943 the penny was made out of zinc plated steel to save copper for the war effort which is why most 1943 pennies are silver colored. Metal was not the only commodity that was critical to the war effort.
How do I know if my 1943 penny is steel?
The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.
What kind of Penny was made in 1943?
The 1943 steel pennies have value as numismatic coins. Keep reading to learn more about these one cent coins. In 1943 the US was fighting in WWII and a copper shortage led them to issue steel pennies. These pennies are made of steel and coated in zinc. They have the same design as the other wheat pennies.
How much is a 1943 copper cent worth?
Only a couple dozen pieces were made, and each is worth about $100,000. While 1943 copper cents weigh about 3.11 grams and don’t stick to a magnet, the more common steel cents (which weigh 2.8 grams) adhere to a magnet.
How much is a 1944 Lincoln Steel Penny Worth?
In the year 1944 something very similar happened but in reverse. Some steel dies from the previous year’s Lincoln Steel Penny were used to manufacture 1944 copies in steel. A copy of the 1944 Lincoln Steel Penny MS64 was auctioned off in 2013 for a price of $158,625.
Why are the planchets of the 1943 Penny rusting?
As the zinc coating wore off the steel core the exposed steel underneath began to rust. The manufacturing process for producing the planchets was also flawed. Mint workers first rolled a sheet of steel to the proper thickness. Next, the steel sheet was plated with zinc and passed through a blanking press.
