How Rare is a 1943 Penny?
Monday September 18, 2006
One of the most frequently asked questions I get (right behind "How rare are two-headed coins?") is "How rare is my 1943 penny?"The answer depends on what the 1943 penny is made out of. If it is silvery in color, it is made out of steel (with a zinc coating to make it look nicer). They are fairly common in good condition, since people tended to squirrel them away when they were issued because they were unusual. Learn more about the 1943 Steel Penny.
If the 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 Mint accidently used the wrong kind of planchet metal when the coin was struck, but very, very few of these actually left the Mint. Unfortunately, there are plenty of fake 1943 copper cents floating around. Some were intended to be novelty items, and are just steel pennies dipped, or plated, in copper. Others are fraud attempts, where someone has taken a genuine 1948 copper penny and cut the 8 in half, making it look like a 3. Fortunately, there are very easy tests to determine if your 1943 copper penny is genuine.
More Information About Error Coins:
- The "Rust Quarter" Error
- The 10 Most Valuable Error Coins Found in Pocket Change
- Minnesota State Quarter "Extra Tree" Error
Photo of the 1943 Steel Penny courtesy of the Coin Page.
Comments
thanks for the info, it helped me prove my point to my dad.
so if i have a steel 1943 penny how much money should i get ?
Nathan-
the steel 1943 pennies are pretty much worthless.
I found real copper 1943D penny from the cruise please can some one tell me where to sell it and how much it can be? I tried with magnet also.
please reply to me
lalitmehta2003@yahoo.com
Lalit,
Congratulations on your exciting find! Before you start spending the $75k it might be worth, though, please see this link:
How to Tell if Your 1943 Copper Penny Is Genuine
Pay particular attention to the shape of the date in the photo. If you still think your coin might be genuine (rather than altered or plated) you can email me good, clear photos of the coin (front and back) or take them to a local coin dealer for an opinion. He can help you send it in for authentication if he thinks it’s genuine.
Susan Headley
About.com Guide to Coins
I found a 1943 copper penney it worked on a magnet is it real??
Ashley,
Your 1943 penny is only copper-coated steel if it sticks to a magnet. Steel is attracted to magnets, but copper is not. You can learn more in the article about checking to see if your copper 1943 is genuine in my previous Comment (above).
Susan Headley
About.com Guide to Coins
When I was in high school (’75-’77) I had filled two huge gallon glass bottles with wheat back pennies that I’d been collecting since the 60’s. When I went off to college, my dad decided they were his and I never saw them again. He said he was looking through them and would return them, but I never did see them again and never asked. In 1980, he did help me buy a new Toyota with cash, which was uncharacteristic of him. Maybe he found a ‘43 Copper?
I have more coin of 150 year ago and i want sell so how can i sell the coins. coin 1962 victoryia queen and others
Hi i found a 1943 penny it was awhile ago when i found it but i spent it
i wish i never had spent it!!!!!!! i thought of sharing that with u 
You never found a copper 1943 penny. There were only 14 or so ever found. Chances of actually finding one are practically 0%
I have a 1943 penny on a magnet and i wanted 2 sale.
I have 103 zinc (or metal pennies) saved by my grandmother and given to me in the 60’s. They were for more than one year. One website says they were only made for one year. I have 2-3 years, but no 1943. I have over 300 wheat pennies, but no 1943. I live in MO. Where would be a good place to check their value? Thank you.
I saw this in the news about 7 years ago. Some idiot down in Fort Myers FL used a genuine documented 1943 copper penny at a corner store. I don’t think it was ever returned to him.
I have been collecting coins for about ten years.I have every wheat penny ever made, including the 1943 steal penny, the 1943 copper(yes it is authentic), And a 1943 steal/copper, Now this one is extremely rare.No it is not dipped. When they changed over to the steal planchet, Their was still copper in the die and it made a “shard” like look mixing both materials. To the Governments knowledge.quote unquote” this never happened. I only know of 3 in the entire world and one was destroyed and I have one so there is still one left. How much Is this worth? P.S. I know it rarity and it is NOT for sale….Thanks all
If you have a 1943 copper penny you have found I will buy it for $10 cash. No questions asked.
i have 13 still penny’s dated 1943 and tested whita magnet and stuk to.can yuo tellme where to sell such penny’s? please advice,thank’s
I have several penny blanks that were never stamped. Are they worth anything?
In all the comment no one has said how many were actually struck at the mint in 1943, what is that number.
Anyone intersted in a MS67 NGC graded ap43s steel/zince penny..let me know and throw out an offer!
yourmasonry@yahoo.com