By Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez for Gainesville Coins ……
Most steel pennies are worth between 20 cents and 20 dollars. Prices for 1943 penny error coins, like the 1943-D doubled mintmark variety, can reach several hundred dollars.
There are few vintage coins as widely collected as the 1943 steel Lincoln penny. This applies within and even beyond the numismatic realm. This unusual-looking Lincoln Wheat cent is unlike any other United States one-cent coin.
Its zinc-coated steel composition makes this coin resemble a dime more than a typical U.S. penny. But why were these odd coins made, what are they worth, and how does a hobbyist go about collecting 1943 steel cents?
History: Why the Lincoln Cent Was Made of Steel in 1943
The steel penny may seem like a random anomaly to some. Yet the coin has a vital connection to an international historical event. The 1943 steel cent was produced during the height of World War II. This global conflict saw the United States military’s involvement from 1941 through 1945.
During World War II, the Allied Forces needed many essential resources to help optimize success in the war. These materials, including copper and nickel, were used for producing ammunition and artillery.
However, copper and nickel were also integral in making coins. Thus, alternative metals were considered for minting coins. These coins traditionally consisted mostly of copper and nickel.
Therefore, the Lincoln cent and the Jefferson nickel became prime targets for temporary but necessary metallic alterations. An act of Congress in 1942 approved a provisional 35% silver composition for the nickel. This paved the way for an emergency composition for the one-cent coin as well.
A litany of tests and patterns followed for the emergency composition, including plastic and glass. The most cost-effective replacement metal for the Lincoln penny was determined to be a 99% steel planchet with a thin layer of zinc plating. These zinc-coated steel planchets represented an efficient and affordable way to make the 1943 pennies while rationing copper for the war effort. The diameter remained 19.05 mm and the portrait of Abraham Lincoln stayed the same.
However, many in the public were less than thrilled with the alternative composition. The steel cents were often confused with the dime, causing some folks to lose nine cents (or more) in a cash transaction. Others blasted the coins for their tendency to quickly rust once the outer zinc coating wore off the coin, exposing the steel core.
The United States Mint eventually acquiesced to the concerns of the public. After just one year, in 1944 the US Mint resumed using a copper-based composition for the Lincoln cent. This was accomplished by using copper shell casings gathered from military training facilities. These so-called shell case cents, struck through 1946, consist of 95% copper and 5% zinc. This is somewhat different than the typical 95% copper/5% tin and zinc composition generally used at the time for producing Wheat pennies.
1943 Steel Cent Value
Most 1943 steel Lincoln pennies aren’t worth much above their face value (one cent). This may come as something of a surprise to the many who believe these coins are quite valuable. That common misperception likely stems from the popularity of the well-known 1943 bronze cents. This off-metal transitional error was accidentally struck when a few leftover 1942 copper planchets were fed through the presses at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints.
The 1943 copper penny is extremely rare and valuable. Only a couple dozen pieces were made and exist today, and each is worth about $100,000. While 1943 copper cents weigh about 3.11 grams and don’t stick to a magnet, the more common steel cents (which weigh 2.7 grams) adhere to a magnet. When it comes to evaluating 1943 Lincoln cents, the duo of a magnet and a gram scale has broken many hearts over the years.
The record price for a 1943 copper Lincoln penny is over $1.7 million at auction in 2010.
The 1943 steel cents are quite common, and more than one billion were struck for circulation. Broken down by each mint, the individual mintages are as follows:
- 1943 Philadelphia Mint cents – 684,628,670
- 1943-D Denver Mint cents – 217,660,000
- 1943-S San Francisco cents – 191,550,000
Many 1943 steel cents ultimately corroded beyond recognition or were otherwise lost to time. However, there are still millions of collectible 1943 pennies out there. Hence, these are relatively common coins and are worth relatively little collector value in circulated grades.
Most 1943 Lincoln pennies in worn grades (average condition) trade for around 10 cents to 25 cents apiece. Typical examples in uncirculated condition usually realize $1 to $5. Top-level specimens in grades of Mint State 67 or better can go for much more, sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
How Rare Is the 1943 Steel Penny?
There are also some significant varieties among the 1943 steel cents, including the 1943-D/D repunched mintmark. This widely collected variety is worth more than $100 in Extremely Fine 40 and upward of $400 in Mint State 63. While there is no known mintage figure for the 1943-D/D Lincoln cent, it’s estimated that perhaps 3,000 to 5,000 examples may exist across all grades.
Otherwise, non-error steel cents are not in themselves rare. Their value lies in their novelty. How much a steel penny is worth is very dependent on the condition of the coin.
Collecting the 1943 Lincoln Penny
Many coin collectors include the various 1943 pennies among their larger collections of Lincoln cents. However, the trio of business-strike Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco 1943 Lincoln steel cents constitute a very popular one-year short set. This set is commonly sold in mass-market offerings. Often they are “reprocessed” (stripped and recoated) pieces assembled in plastic display cases. Then they are sold via general-readership newspaper and magazine advertisements.
There is no right or wrong way to collect 1943 Lincoln cents. Given their novelty, they also make great gifts. Steel pennies have helped spark numismatic interests in folks who otherwise may not have become coin collectors. Indeed, whether collected as part of a short set or incorporated into a larger run of Lincoln cents, the 1943 steel pennies are favorites among non-numismatists and veteran coin collectors alike.
I have a 1943 wheat penny and can be picked up with a magnet. Would like to know what is it worth. Patti Gonzales
As the article notes, these coins were struck on steel blanks and it’s normal for them to be attracted to a magnet. In fact that’s the usual first test for any suspected 1943-dated bronze error cents; if the coin’s attracted to a magnet it’s an ordinary steel one and not a bronze error coin.
Also as the article states: “… there are still millions of collectible 1943 pennies out there. Hence, these are relatively common coins and are worth relatively little collector value in circulated grades.”
I have a coin it looks like a penny. But it has a side profile of a womans face and a flying duck or goose on the obverse. Any idea ?
Does it say “1 cent” and “CANADA” on it? Good clues that it’s a 1-cent Canadian coin, minted in 1967 to honor the centennial of Confederation. And the woman should be identified as Elizabeth II … as in the Queen.
It’s always helpful to look at the date and wording on a coin!
Paul is the date visable? You sir may have 18?? Flying Eagle .
Remember, flying eagle cents don’t have a portrait. They have an eagle on the obverse and ONE CENT on the reverse. Canadian centennial cents depict a goose in flight on one side, and the obligatory portrait of Queen Elizabeth on the reverse. Try any image search for “US flying eagle cent” and “1967 Canadian cent”.
I have a steel penny and would like to no is it worth anything. Emmy lou
Didn’t you Read Story? Sticks to magnet it not worth much. Don’t stick to magnet could be worth up to $100,000!
I have one
I have several 1943 steel pennies I’ll see if any of the stick to a magnet if so what would the value of these steel pennies rate at these day in the value
As others have noted. please read the article.
– Sticks to magnet => made of steel => one of the _billion_ or so minted that year => only worth a few cents.
– Doesn’t stick to a magnet => possibly a rare bronze error coin but more likely one of the zillions of fakes that have been made over the last 3/4 of a century.
The value isn’t much since they don’t stick to the magnet that’s a shame I thought I was one of many that may have one that didn’t thanks but I’d like one of your coin book .I also have some foreign paper money that my grandpa gave me from when he was in China Okinawa and if I could send pics of them to you I’d like to know the value of them if any at all .
Like very much. Interesting to learn of our penney’s with right intelligent helpers and kind and generous to let the public know the way to go about knowing tbe values of our American treasures on are behalf thank you all . Truly yours Joe F. Garcia
Hi. I have a 1943 steel penny. I would like to know the value of it.
I have a pennies collection with a.steel 1943D Penney how much is it worth.
Anyone know what an uncirculated steel penny dated 1943 with doubling in the 3. Very prominent doubling. Ms65 or higher is my guess but not graded
Alan take it to a coin dealer it might be a rare coin. Hence moneyyyy
I have two and I would like to sale them.
Are 1944 steal pennies worth much in excellent condition ?
With a good grade could go as high as a couple of grand. Take it to a proment Certified Coin dealer..
Have one no mint mark and magentwill pick up
I have a 1943 penny near the exact color of the dime and it is missing letter >I. L BERTY
I have a 1943 steel penny with no mark on where it was minted. Would you happen to know where this penny would have been minted at.
A 1943 penny with no mintmark under the date means it was struck in the Philadelphia Mint. A little “D” means Denver, and a little “S” San Francisco.
Someone gave me one but it’s in a case and don’t want to open it…
I just picked an ungraded complete set in beautiful condition. I had many older ones a bit dirty/rusted but I have started cleaning them to separate the good ones and they out really nice after sonicating in warm soapy water,,, fun and beautiful collection for wheats..