In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to zinc-coated steel for the Lincoln cent to conserve copper for World War II ammunition. About 1 billion steel cents were struck. However, a few copper planchets left over from 1942 were accidentally struck with 1943 dies — creating one of the most famous and valuable error coins in American numismatics. Steel cents themselves also have notable error varieties.
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Scan My CoinThe legendary 1943 copper cent — accidentally struck on leftover 1942 copper planchets instead of the new steel ones. Fewer than 30 confirmed examples are known across all three mints.
How to check: Use a magnet. Steel cents stick; copper cents do not. If your 1943 penny does NOT stick to a magnet and weighs 3.11g (not 2.7g), get it authenticated immediately by PCGS or NGC.
$100,000 - $1,700,000+Companion error to the 1943 copper — a few steel planchets left from 1943 were struck with 1944 dies. Fewer than 35 known.
How to check: Test 1944 pennies with a magnet. A magnetic 1944 cent is a transitional steel error worth a fortune.
$30,000 - $400,000Hub doubling on LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, or the date 1943, caused by misaligned die manufacture.
How to check: Use a 10x loupe and check lettering and date for shadow or shelf doubling.
$50 - $400Steel planchet not centered when struck, leaving part of the design missing.
How to check: Look for design that doesn't reach both rims, with a blank crescent on one side.
$15 - $200+Many steel cents have been chemically re-plated to disguise wear or damage. Authentic mint state examples show original silvery-grey zinc plating.
How to check: Look for unnatural shiny chrome-like surfaces, which indicate re-plating. Original plating is duller and more matte.
$1 - $25Authentic 1943 copper Lincoln cents have sold for $100,000 to over $1.7 million at major auctions. Always have suspected examples authenticated by PCGS or NGC — many fakes exist (including altered 1948 pennies and plated steel cents).
Use a magnet. Steel cents stick to a magnet; copper does not. Also weigh the coin — steel = 2.7g, copper = 3.11g. A non-magnetic 1943 cent weighing 3.11g is a major rarity.
No. Common 1943 steel cents in circulated condition are worth $0.10 to $1. Mint state examples with original luster sell for $5 to $50. The valuable 1943 cents are the copper transitional errors and major mint errors.
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