💰 The Holy Grail of Pennies
The 1943 Copper Penny is one of the most famous error coins in U.S. history. If real, it can sell for $200,000+ at auction. But many fakes are out there, so knowing how to test yours is critical.
Recently, a collector thought he found one — but after running a few tests, it turned out to be a fake. Here’s how experts check authenticity.
🔎 Step 1: The Magnet Test
- Real 1943 Copper Penny: Does not stick to a magnet ✅
- Fake or Steel 1943 Penny: Will stick to a magnet ❌
👉 The example passed this test, meaning it wasn’t steel. Good start!
⚖️ Step 2: The Weight Test
- A real copper penny weighs about 3.1 grams
- A steel 1943 penny weighs about 2.7 grams
👉 The coin tested weighed 3.1g, which matched copper.
👁️ Step 3: Date Check – The Famous “3 Below the 4”
Look closely at the 1943 date:
- On authentic coins, the “3” sits slightly lower than the “4.”
- Many fakes are made by altering a 1948 penny (carving the 8 into a 3), but those won’t match this detail.
👉 This test checked out correctly.
🧐 Step 4: Design & Detail Inspection
Here’s where the coin failed:
- On the fake, Lincoln’s face looked weakly struck
- Some letters were blurry and unevenly spaced
- On real 1943 copper pennies, the details are sharp and clear
👉 Comparing side by side, the differences were obvious.
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