Have you ever heard someone say their old penny could be worth tens of thousands of dollars? 🪙
One collector recently asked:
$100,000 1944 Steel Penny?
“I found a 1944-S Lincoln Steel Penny. My dad said it was worth a lot — how much is it really worth?”
Luckily, our favorite coin expert Felix, The Coin Professor, broke it down clearly in his video — and yes, if it’s real, it could be life-changing.
⚡ Why a 1944 Steel Penny Is So Rare
Normally, U.S. pennies from 1944 were made of copper, not steel.
That’s because in 1943, the U.S. Mint used steel coated with zinc to save copper for World War II ammunition and military use.
In 1944, the Mint switched back to copper — but a few leftover steel planchets (coin blanks) from 1943 accidentally got used again.
That mistake created one of the most legendary error coins in U.S. history:
👉 The 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent.
💎 How Much Is a 1944 Steel Penny Worth?
According to Felix:
“If you have a steel penny from 1944, it’s like $30,000 to $40,000 — and in high condition, they can go for over $100,000!”
Here’s a quick breakdown of value by condition:
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Extremely Fine (XF) | $40,000 – $75,000 |
| Mint State (MS-63+) | $100,000+ |
💡 Note: These prices are for authentic 1944 steel pennies verified by professional graders like PCGS or NGC.
🧲 How to Tell if Yours Is Real
Felix reminds viewers that authentic 1944 steel pennies have two important features:
- Magnetic: It should stick to a magnet.
- Weight: It should weigh around 2.7 grams.
If it’s not magnetic or weighs around 3.11g, it’s a regular copper penny — not steel.
🚫 Watch Out for Fakes
Because of their high value, 1944 steel pennies are often counterfeited.
Common scams include:
- Replated 1943 copper pennies
- Altered 1944 copper cents made to look steel
- Fake listings online claiming “$1 million value”
✅ Always authenticate your coin before selling or buying. Use PCGS or NGC grading services to confirm it’s genuine.
🏆 Collector Tip from Felix
“If that 1944 steel penny is real — it’s one you should definitely remember.”
These coins don’t just hold metal value — they carry a piece of American wartime history.
📺 Watch the Full Video
To hear Felix explain the details and see how to test your coin properly,
👉 Watch his full video here: (Embed or link your teacher’s YouTube video)
🧠 Final Thoughts
The 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny is one of the holy grails of coin collecting.
Even though only a handful exist, it’s always worth checking your change — because history shows that rare treasures still show up in the most unexpected places.
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