There are two version of the United States 1943 penny: 1) 1943 Steel Cent minted during the World War II copper shortage era. 2) 1943 Copper Penny minted with extreme rarity due to most likely leftover copper planchets (blanks) from 1942. The 1943 copper penny can be worth a million dollars as an extremely rare and sought after collectible coin.
How much does a 1943 Wheat cent weigh?
Weight: At its purest form, 3.11 grams, though circulation tends to make a coin lighter through wear and tear. Design: Front is Lincoln. Rear is wheat stalks typical of Wheat cent or Wheatback penny. History of the 1943 penny:
Are there any 1943 Lincoln Wheat pennies left?
There are also “reprocessed” steel Pennies, which are essentially 1943 steel Pennies that had become corroded (due to the rust-prone nature of their steel core) and later stripped of their original zinc coating, and recoated with a fresh layer of zinc. These are numismatically worthless since they are altered coins.
Who is the collector of the 1943 Lincoln cent?
Image Courtesy of: Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) – In September 2012, Legend Numismatics of Lincroft, New Jersey has announced that collector Bob R. Simpson, co-chairman of the Texas Rangers baseball club, paid $1 million for the finest known 1943-S Lincoln Wheat cent on a bronze planchet.
What makes a 1943 US cent coin rust?
Zinc, the protective coating, when worn, exposed underlying steel. Additionally, zinc develops an oxide forming a white powder coating to the metal. Normal humidity in the air presented a challenge to preserve a 1943 cent. Evidence of both rust and oxidation are visible on the example coins.
What happens to a 1943 Lincoln Steel Penny?
When exposed to moisture the penny would start to rust. To “revive” some of the original beauty, some unscrupulous coin dealer’s started to re-plate the steel pennies with a fresh coating of zinc. Although these pennies show a brilliant shine, they are considered damage coins and carry little to no value.
How can you tell if a 1943 Penny is copper?
The way to detect if your 1943 penny is made out of copper is by using a magnet. If the penny sticks to the magnet, it is made out of steel — not copper. Keep your eyes open for this rare penny — and you could be up to $200,000 richer if you find it.
Is the copper penny from World War 2 worth anything?
A copper penny produced in 1943 during World War II, when the other pennies were made out of steel, is worth up to $200,000 and maybe even one million dollars.
What kind of Penny is a Million Dollar?
In fact, this “error” copper coin is known to be over $1 million, nearly $2 million. this million dollar cent was a 1943 copper San Francisco mint penny and was graded 62 out of 70. Steel 1943 pennies has the color and make of the photograph on the left, while a wheat cent copper penny will have the coloring and make of the photograph on the right.
