The value of a 1943 copper wheat penny varies, depending on its condition. In general, a 1943 copper wheat penny in average circulated condition is worth around 15 to 20 cents, while a coin in uncirculated condition can be worth between 48 cents and 60 cents.
Values can be considerably higher for coins with particularly strong condition and eye appeal. For example, a 1943 copper wheat penny in MS63 Red-Brown condition graded by PCGS can be worth up to $1000 and a 1943 copper wheat penny in MS65 Red-Brown condition graded by PCGS can be worth up to $3500.
How do I know if my 1943 penny is worth anything?
First, you should refer to the Red Book, a guide to coin values, which can help you determine a specific value for your 1943 penny. Other resources that might help you value the penny include online coin communities such as Coin Talk, Coin values.com, and the PCGS CoinFacts Database.
You can also check eBay to see if coins similar to yours have been sold recently. Additionally, you can take your 1943 penny to a coin dealer or coin show to have it professionally appraised and get a more accurate idea of its worth.
All of these resources should help you determine if your 1943 penny is worth anything.
How many 1943 copper pennies have been found?
It is impossible to know exactly how many 1943 copper pennies have been found because many of them are in private collections or in circulation. However, based on estimates, there are approximately 40 to 60 known 1943 copper pennies in existence, with a few more possible to have been saved or found since then.
This is because, during World War II, the United States needed copper for military use so the composition of pennies was changed from 95% copper and 5% zinc to 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper. A few 1943 copper pennies were created by mistake and were placed into circulation.
With these few exceptions, the 1943 pennies are made of zinc and are commonly known as “steel pennies.” The rarity value of the 1943 copper penny drives many coin collectors to search for them. Thus far, some have been able to find these coins in circulation, though it is highly unlikely.
Estimates are based on the number of known 1943 copper pennies that have been found and authenticated by numismatic professionals and/or professional grading services.
Is a 1943 penny worth a lot of money?
No, a 1943 penny is not worth a lot of money. A 1943 penny is worth about 3 to 5 cents depending on its condition. In 1943, the US Mint produced steel pennies due to the need for copper for war related activities.
A 1943 steel penny can be worth more due to its rarity, but its value is still typically only 10 to 50 cents. Over the past few years, some people have reported 1943 steel pennies worth as much as $85,000, but these are rare exceptions and typically not the rule.
How much can I sell my 1943 steel penny for?
The value of a 1943 steel penny can vary depending on the condition of the coin and other factors. In general, a circulated 1943 steel penny is usually worth between 15 to 75 cents. However, coins that are in mint condition can be worth up to $12.
Steel pennies from 1943 are fairly common, so it’s unlikely that a collector would be willing to pay significantly more than the listed prices. It is also important to note that since these coins are made of steel, they are prone to rust and corrosion much more than regular copper pennies, so the condition of the coin is especially important when determining the value.
When was the last 1943 copper penny found?
The last 1943 copper penny was found in 2010 by Illinoise resident Don Lutes, Jr. He discovered the penny while sorting through a box of assorted change he had received from his high school cafeteria back in 1947.
Lutes’ coin was a “Transitional Error” and was created by mistake, due to the die of the 1943 steel penny still being in the presses after the war, when the 1944 copper planchets were loaded into the press to create coins.
This combination of steel and copper produced the last 1943 copper penny.
Since its discovery, the coin has changed hands several times and has been graded and authenticated by several reputable grading companies, including PCGS and NGC, as well as Industry Leader PCGS. It has been estimated to be worth more than $200,000.
In 2012, a collector and dealer known as Legend Rare Coin Auctions placed the coin for a private sale at $1.7 million, but the coin never sold.
What happens if you find a 1943 penny?
If you find a 1943 penny, it is likely to be a copper penny as that was the composition for this date that year. It is a fairly rare penny, as only copper pennies were minted in 1943 because the U.S. government was using the metal for the World War II war effort.
The 1944, 1945 and 1946 pennies were all made of steel, but 1943 was the only year where pennies were made of copper. Finding a 1943 penny can be quite lucrative depending on the condition it is in, as these pennies can be worth anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars or more, depending on the grade.
What makes a 1943 S steel penny rare?
A 1943 S steel penny is rare due to a unique combination of circumstances that played out during the production of coins that year. The U.S. Mint needed additional coins due to the disruption caused by World War II, so instead of producing the usual copper pennies, the Mint used recycled steel from 1942 ammunition shells and many other large objects.
This steel was then coated in zinc to give the coins their characteristic silvery color.
The 1943 S steel penny is rarer than most other steel pennies today because it stands out due to its unique design. It had a large “S” mintmark on the reverse side indicating it was made in San Francisco and not Philadelphia like most other steel pennies.
This mintmark makes the 1943 S steel penny a rare and sought-after collectible due to its limited production.
Ultimately, the combination of the unusual steel composition, limited release, and the presence of an “S” mintmark is what makes the 1943 S steel penny so rare and desirable today.
Which 1943 D steel penny is valuable?
The 1943 D steel penny is a collectible penny produced by the United States Mint in 1943. It is made of a different metal than other US pennies in circulation, since copper was deemed an essential resource for use in the War effort.
As such, it is a unique penny and has great numismatic value.
In terms of its direct value, the 1943 D steel penny is generally worth anywhere from 3-20 times the face value. Of course, the exact value depends on the condition. Some of the uncirculated 1945 PDS (Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco) pennies are worth significantly more.
While the 1943 D steel penny is the most common 1943 steel penny, it is by no means common. It is estimated that there were only 1 billion of them made in total, meaning that they are still relatively rare.
As such, even if one isn’t in perfect condition, they are still likely to be valuable.
In summary, the 1943 D steel penny is a valuable collectible because of its unique metal composition and scarcity. Its value is likely to be between 3-20 times its face value, with some of the uncirculated PDS 1943 steel pennies being worth even more.
What is the rarest 1943 penny?
The 1943 copper penny is the rarest of all the 1943 pennies, with fewer than 10 of them known to exist. This penny was highly prized by collectors and was struck in error using the one-cent dies intended for the 1944 steel cents.
The 1943 copper penny is believed to have been made when several blanks of the 1943 zinc coated steel cent were fed into the press used for making the 1944 steel cents. Thus, the 1943 copper penny has a zinc plated steel core, rather than the solid copper core of other Lincoln pennies.
As the 1943 copper penny is extremely rare, it is sought after by collectors and its value is substantially higher than other 1943 pennies. In fact, the 1943 copper penny is considered to be one of the most valuable coins ever minted, with one example having been sold for over a million dollars.
Is there a 1943 S Steel Penny?
Yes, there is a 1943 S Steel Penny. It was produced in the United States in 1943 during World War II due to a need for copper in the production of wartime materials. The mint decided to produce a steel penny made of zinc-coated steel during this time, and several hundred million were produced.
They are identical in size and design to a regular Lincoln cent, and it is sometimes referred to as a steel wheat penny. It is important to note that it does not contain any copper and is worth significantly less than a penny that does contain copper.
They are popular with coin collectors and are considered relatively common compared to other collectible coins.
What is the error on a 1943 rare copper penny?
The most common error on a 1943 rare copper penny is called a double die error. This occurs when the coin is struck twice, leaving a faint second impression of the design on the coin. This can occur because the coin die has shifted slightly in the press while striking, leaving the second impression.
This is considered to be a relatively common and relatively minor error, and therefore, 1943 rare copper pennies with double die errors are typically valued between $25 and $50, depending on the severity of the error.