Recently, a collector shared an amazing story: he inherited a complete set of wheat pennies from his late brother — and inside was a 1943 copper penny.
Why is this so exciting? Because almost all 1943 Lincoln cents were struck in steel, not copper. A genuine 1943 copper penny is one of the holy grails of U.S. coin collecting, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
🔎 Why the 1943 Copper Penny Is So Rare
- 🏭 In 1943, copper was needed for World War II, so the U.S. Mint made pennies out of steel.
- 🔥 A tiny handful of copper planchets were accidentally struck that year.
- 📊 Value today: $200,000–$300,000+ depending on condition.
✅ 3 Steps to Authenticate a 1943 Copper Penny
If you think you have one, here are the three tests every coin expert recommends:
1. Weigh the Coin ⚖️
- Copper penny: ~3.1 grams
- Steel penny: ~2.7 grams
2. Magnet Test 🧲
- Copper: Will NOT stick to a magnet
- Steel: Strongly magnetic
3. Date Examination 🔍
- Look at the “3” in 1943.
- On genuine coins, the curve of the “3” sits under the “4.”
- Many fakes are just altered 1948 cents with part of the “8” filed down.
⚠️ Be Careful of Fakes
Because the 1943 copper penny is so valuable, there are many counterfeits:
- Altered 1948 coins
- Copper-plated steel cents
- Fraudulent castings
That’s why professional grading is essential.
💡 Final Thoughts
If you’ve inherited a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. But before you celebrate:
- Test it carefully
- Avoid cleaning it
- Send it to PCGS or NGC for authentication
🙏 And to the collector who inherited his brother’s set: we’re sorry for your loss — but what a special legacy he left behind.
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