Do you have a rare and valuable 1943 Copper Cent or common 1943 Steel Cent
During the height of World War II, the U.S. Mint made a one-year-only change to the Lincoln penny. To save precious copper for the war effort, nearly all 1943 pennies were struck on zinc-coated steel planchets. These silvery-gray “steel cents” are a fascinating piece of history.
However, a few pennies were accidentally struck on the old copper planchets, creating one of the most famous and valuable rarities in American coinage: the 1943 Copper Cent.
While over a billion steel cents were minted, only a handful of genuine copper cents are known to exist. Do you know how to tell the difference? This guide will show you the simple tests that separate the common from the priceless.
1943 Steel Penny Values
| Date & Mint | Circulated | Uncirculated | |||
| Buy | Sell | Buy | Sell | ||
| 1943 Zinc | $0.10 | $0.06 | $2.60 | $1.90 | |
| 1943-D Zinc | $0.13 | $0.09 | $3.50 | $2.40 | |
| 1943-S Zinc | $0.18 | $0.12 | $6.10 | $4.50 |
The most recent sale of a circulated/used 1943 Copper Cent was for $204,000.
Ways to tell if your coin is copper or steel.
The Easiest Way to Tell: The Magnet Test
This is the most important first step, and all you need is a simple magnet.
- 1943 Steel Pennies are magnetic. Because they are made of steel, they will stick firmly to a magnet.
- 1943 Copper Pennies are NOT magnetic. Like all other copper Lincoln cents, they will not react to a magnet at all.
If your 1943 penny sticks to a magnet, it is a steel cent. While still a great piece of history, it is very common and typically worth between 15 cents and a dollar. If it does not stick, you may have a major rarity, and you should proceed to the next step.
Confirming a Potential Treasure: The Weight Test
If your 1943 penny failed the magnet test, the next step is to weigh it on a gram scale.
- A genuine 1943 Copper Cent should weigh 3.11 grams.
- A 1943 Steel Cent weighs only 2.7 grams.
It’s also crucial to be aware that many counterfeit 1943 copper cents exist. Some are copper-plated steel cents (which the magnet test would expose), while others are regular copper pennies from other years (like 1945, 1948, or 1949) that have been illegally altered to look like a 1943.
The Final Step: Professional Authentication is Essential
If you have a 1943 penny that is non-magnetic and weighs 3.11 grams, it is crucial that you have it professionally authenticated. Because of the high value and the prevalence of counterfeits, this is the only way to know for sure if you have a genuine treasure.
As Life Members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and with an A+ BBB rating, our team of experts can help verify your coin. We can determine its authenticity and provide you with an accurate market valuation.
Let Our Experts Review Your Collection
Whether you have a potential 1943 copper penny or a collection of common steel cents, we can help you understand what you have. Often, where there is one old coin, there are many others that could be valuable. We provide a free, no-obligation evaluation of your entire collection.
Contact us today by email, text, or the form below to get the answers you need.
