1943 Lincoln bronze cent is one of the most well-known error coins in American coin history, which has a potential of fetching $1.7 million in current market. This unusual penny has fascinated collectors for decades since it was inadvertently struck in bronze rather than the usual zinc-coated steel.
There are only 15 to 20 genuine bronze penny examples of this one-cent coin known to exist, making it a rare gem that is hard to find but worthwhile to search for.
Let’s examine the features, history, and how to tell whether you have one of these rare and precious coins.
The Historical Context Behind the 1943 Bronze Penny
U.S. Mint switched from producing bronze to steel to conserve copper materials for the war effort 1943,. That year, almost every penny struck had a zinc coating on steel, giving it a silvery look.
However, a few pennies were inadvertently made in bronze using 1942 surplus planchets. Only a tiny percentage of these incredibly uncommon bronze pennies undetected made it through the minting process.
One famous penny from Denver made in 1943 is well-known. This penny was sold for almost $1.7 million in a private trade in 2010, which was one of the highest prices ever paid for a coin.
Due to the publicity surrounding the sale of this coin, rare penny enthusiasts nationwide were compelled to look through their pocket change in hopes of striking it lucky.
Why Is the 1943 Penny Worth So Much?
Factors that make the penny valuable:
- Rarity: Only 15 to 20 genuine bronze pennies is in existance . Their scarcity greatly increases their value.
- Historical Significance: These coins have additional historical significance because they show a rare minting error during a conflict.
- High Collector Demand: The combination of the item’s rarity and serious collectors’ demand propels auction prices upward. Once a 1943-D bronze penny sells for $1.7 million making a great record.
How to Identify a 1943 Bronze Penny
To find out if you could possess one of these uncommon coins, follow these steps:
- Magnet Test: Authentic 1943 bronze pennies are not magnetic. Your coin is probably only worth a few cents and is composed of steel, not bronze if it attracts a magnet. If it falls through, you might have a hidden gem.
- Weight: A typical 1943 bronze penny weighs around 3.1 grams. Your penny is constructed of steel if its weight is much less than that of other metals, about 2.7 grams. Use an accurate scale to check the weight to the tenth of a gram.
- Visual Inspection: It’s really important for the number “3” on the date of the coin to look exactly like a steel penny. If it looks different, it could mean the coin is fake or has been changed in some way.
- Third-Party Grading: To ensure the authenticity of your coin, it must be verified by a respectable coin grading agency, such as PCGS or NGC, due to the large number of fakes on the market.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Bronze (Copper Alloy) |
| Weight | 3.1 grams |
| Magnet Test | Non-magnetic |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia, Denver (rare), San Francisco |
| Auction Record | $1.7 million (Denver Mint, 2010) |
Other Notable Records and Sales
Despite the record-breaking sale of a 1943-D bronze cent for $1.7 million, it is important to note that other notable examples have also fetched significant sums.
A 1943 Philadelphia bronze cent brought in more than $200,000 at auction. When these coins are in good condition,they can fecth thousands dollars.
A privately auctioned 1943-S bronze cent from San Francisco brought in about $1 million.
How to Protect and Sell Your 1943 Bronze Penny
To preserve the value of your 1943 bronze cent, you must do the following actions:
- Authenticate the Coin: Submit the coin for authentication and grading to a reputable coin grading company, such as PCGS or NGC.
- Handle with Care: Be gentle with your coins while cleaning it.
- Sale Location: Rare coins, like the 1943 bronze penny, are usually sold at fancy auction houses like Heritage Auctions, where people who are interested can buy them.
The 1943 Lincoln bronze penny is a great discovery for coin collectors and a special part of American history. Only a small number of these mistake coins are believed to exist, and when they do, they fetch astronomically high prices.
