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 makes a 1943 penny rare?
The Rare 1943 Penny If your 1943 penny is made out copper, it is worth quite a bit of money, generally $10,000 or more! The reason is that the 1943 copper penny is an error coin. The United States Mint accidentally used the wrong kind of planchet metal when striking the coin.
How much is a 1943 Lincoln wheat penny worth?
Watch Now: The Most Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies Value of a 1943 Steel Penny They are worth about 10 to 13 cents each in circulated condition, and as much as 50 cents or more if uncirculated.
What kind of rust does a 1943 copper penny have?
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. Rare 1943 Copper Lincoln Cent.
Why did they start making steel pennies in 1943?
In 1943 the United States was preparing for war in Europe and in the Pacific. Copper is an essential metal in the manufacturing of ammunition. In order to save copper for the war effort, the United States Mint under the authority from Congress began making pennies from steel with a thin coating of zinc.
What kind of alloy is a 1943 cent made from?
Uncirculated Grade: A very distinctive blue-white luster shines from a mint state – uncirculated 1943 cent. These coins are struck from a zinc coated steel alloy. Luster and its texture remain intact to reach the uncirculated grade. Zinc, the outer coating, is prone to dulling if disturbed.
