A regular 1943 steel penny is worth only a few cents. As the 1943 steel pennies circulated, the zinc coating started to turn dark gray and almost black. If it was in circulation long enough, the zinc coating completely wore off, and the steel underneath would start to show through.
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:
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.
What kind of Penny is made of steel?
However, steel pennies are not actually silver, but steel. The steel cent has also been called a steelie or war penny. The steel cent is a Lincoln wheat cent minted at 3.11 grams. It has a composition of steel with a zinc coat giving it a very low metal value because of how inexpensive steel is worth.
What does a 1943 Lincoln Wheat cent look like?
What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.): 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cents look like “silver pennies” but they are actually made out of steel.
What was the silver penny made of in World War 2?
The 1943 silver colored penny is a wartime coin issue made of steel and coated with zinc. During World War II, the war effort required a lot of copper to make shell casings and munitions.
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.
