What is a 1943 steel cent worth?
Because they are quite common, a 1943 penny in circulated condition is not worth much. According to USA Coin Book, a steel penny from 1943 in circulated condition is worth between 16 cents and 53 cents. However, Heritage Auctions sells 1943 steel pennies in pristine, uncirculated condition for more than $1,000.
What’s the value of a 1943 Steel Penny?
The 1943 S steel penny is worth around $0.40 in fine condition. In very fine condition the value is around $0.65. In extremely fine condition the value is around $0.75.
What makes a 1943 US cent coin rust?
Zinc, the protective coating, when worn, exposed underlying steel. Additionally, zinc develops an oxide forming a white powder coating to the metal. Normal humidity in the air presented a challenge to preserve a 1943 cent. Evidence of both rust and oxidation are visible on the example coins.
Why are the planchets of the 1943 Penny rusting?
As the zinc coating wore off the steel core the exposed steel underneath began to rust. The manufacturing process for producing the planchets was also flawed. Mint workers first rolled a sheet of steel to the proper thickness. Next, the steel sheet was plated with zinc and passed through a blanking press.
What kind of metal was used to make the 1944 Penny?
In 1944 the mint switched back to using copper to produce the pennies. Once again, the totes contained a few zinc-coated steel planchets stuck in the crevices. The coining presses then produced 1944 pennies on zinc-coated steel planchets instead of bronze planchets.
Do the 1943 steel pennies have any value?
The 1943 steel pennies have value as numismatic coins. Keep reading to learn more about these one cent coins. In 1943 the US was fighting in WWII and a copper shortage led them to issue steel pennies. These pennies are made of steel and coated in zinc.
Is the 1943 Penny made of steel?
In 1943 the penny was made out of zinc plated steel to save copper for the war effort which is why most 1943 pennies are silver colored. Metal was not the only commodity that was critical to the war effort. Oct 2 2019
How many 1943 steel wheat D pennies are there in the US?
More than 1 billion 1943 steel wheat pennies were made: 1943 no mintmark steel penny (Philadelphia mint) – 684,628,670 minted 1943-D steel penny (Denver mint) – 217,660,000 minted 1943-S steel penny (San Francisco mint) – 191,550,000 minted
What was the purpose of the steel coating on a 1943 Penny?
The answer depends on the composition of the 1943 penny. If the penny has a silver color, it is made out of steel with a zinc coating to make it look nicer and protect it from rusting. They are fairly common in nice condition since people tended to save them when they were first issued because they were unusual.
