Copper Penny, 1943-Scarce Little Gem. Sold at Auction for $150,000 Coin collecting is great because it brings together history, art, and perhaps even profit. Hundreds of thousands, tens of thousands, of coins exist in a world-there’s the rub. Few are little treasures that stir imaginations. This freak coin, mangled inadvertently during World War II, since has come to epitomize scarcity and value. Some examples have sold at auction for as much as $150,000. Let’s take a gander at the history and the significance and how to identify this fabulous penny as well as other rarities you might be interested in looking out for.
A Historical Context: The Need for Steel Pennies
The United States was in a pretty horrible shortage of copper during World War II. Well, since need-to-haves during war, it so happened that U.S. Mint started stamping pennies in steel, coated with as much zinc as it could, but still used as much copper as possible since at least that much was needed as this metal dramatically needed for the course of war.It was going to be, therefore, the year of the steel penny, one million of which were minted as relief for the times: 1943. But an altogether unsuspected error in the striking caused some copper pennies to be struck while in the usual channel that would have caught the eyes and made them wonder for decades to come of some collectors.
The Accidental Birth of the 1943 Copper Penny
For instance, consider the legend of the 1943 copper cent, and the story starts with something as banal as a story about some negligence. In switching from steel cents to copper cents, copper plachets-wafer discs of metal that used to stamp cents into existence-stayed in the presses. So when the machine began rolling out steel cents, whatever plachets were left over, whatever copper was remaining-were shipped off as a copper cent. It cost almost nothing-far less than infinitesimal fragments of copper pennies, cast in 1943.
It is not in a stretch of imagination but would not be far from the mark to say that count of such scarce pennies can never be enumerated; however it is reckoned that today not more than 40 to 20 pieces exist. That’s why it has become a high demand among collectors and investors alike with its rarity with the story.
Why the Copper Penny 1943 So Valuable?
All this for the value of that rare 1943 copper penny: Rarity: Very few have been made out of thousands. This piece brings a demand and a demand among collectors. Terrific history straight out of America and the country’s time of turmoil. And shows how resourceful the United States was during World War II.
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Auction Prices: For a hundred years, a copper penny of 1943 has circulated breaking shockingly unbelievably prices throughout its years of sales. It is an example when last year 2019 a specimen is sold at an unbelievable price of $204,000. That would say that it has already established serious dollar value from collectors. Hence, it is with very high prices, that the Denver mint penny in the year 2018 where a specimen sold at $180,000, and the San Francisco mint penny in the year 2013, where the specimen was sold in a whopping $150,000.
1943 Copper Cent Awardees for the price
| Year Sold | Auction Price | Mint |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $204,000 | Philadelphia |
| 2018 | $180,000 | Denver |
| 2013 | $150,000 | San Francisco |
These would be the kinds of sales that might attract some attention and value in hard currency for the 1943 copper penny.
It is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, since not many of these copper pennies produced centuries ago ever circulated at all. Too many of them have been lost or destroyed over time to make it possible for any of them to survive to this day. Almost, as any coin enthusiast would put up with, you’re meant to dig through old collections and sift through jars of coins-and even sift through pockets from yesteryears-for such a portent of a very rare penny.
How to Identify the Genuine 1943 Copper Penny from the Counterfeit, Steel Coppersheet
Do you ever want to have a dream for a 1943 copper penny? Here is how you look for it.
Weight: Just put the coin on the counter or place it on top of something and try to see which weighs more. Steel has a mass value of about 2.7 grams while copper is nearly 3.1 grams. So if your penny from 1943 weighs heavier, then it might be a copper penny.
Color : The copper penny is lustrous reddish-brown color and the steel penny is gray.
Mint Mark : Look for a mint mark on the coin. If you can’t find one it is a Philadelphia issue; “D” for Denver and “S” for San Francisco.
You are positive that you are seeing a copper penny 1943, have it graded authenticated by an expert numismatist
More Rare Pennies to Collect
Of course, one 1943 copper penny is the Holy Grail, but there are several of those other pennies that it’d be worth finding. Here are some of those other scarce and unusual pieces:
1. **1955 Double Die Penny**: This penny double dies on its date and legends. In fine it brings in about $1,800.
2. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny. High-grade, the first year of the Lincoln penny runs over $1,000 very quickly. A mint one of these should bear the designer’s initials and ought to bring over $1,000 in.
3. 1969-S Double Die Penny: The extreme double die on this die will make it a very recognizable piece and bring value from $10,000 to $30,000 with condition.
After all, as the term goes, “coin collecting” is indeed one which thrives on thrills and education all blended into one, which holds potential monetary return. The 1943 copper penny is just an example of how just a tiny minute mistake ended up something priceless-thousands of dollars.
Whether digging through old collections or some experience of change, if you do find that small chance of that rare coin, there will be excitement that will help you to think a little bit better about the temptation. Take some time out to dig through your coins. You probably hold small fortunes in your hands once you’ve found some treasure hidden here. And you might just have a lucky day. Happy hunting!
FAQs
Why is this 1943 copper penny valuable?
This 1943 copper penny is valuable in numerous ways, mainly because it is extremely rare-only about 20 to 40 are believed to exist today-and for historical value, forged in the circumstance that existed during World War II, where pennies became steel instead of copper.
How would I know whether I am holding a copper penny that was minted in 1943?
As a determinant if it is a copper penny of 1943, you can check on its color and weight. A genuine copper penny weighs about 3.1 grams and has an appearance more or less reddish-brown, while a steel penny weighs about 2.7 grams with an appearance more of gray. It also carries mint marks: no mark, it must come from Philadelphia; “D” means it comes from Denver; and “S” stands for San Francisco.
How much have some 1943 copper pennies sold at auction for?
The recent 1943 copper penny auctions are very impressive. One sold in 2019 for $204,000, others in 2018 for $180,000, and in 2013 for $150,000. Prices of course, vary with condition and where a coin was minted.
Are there other collectible pennies to watch for?
Och, among these, the ones that are also very valuable and worth looking for are the 1955 double die penny, the 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny, and the 1969-S double die penny. This coin also can fetch high amounts based on conditions.
What if I suspect this is a copper penny for 1943?
If you suspect it could be a 1943 copper penny, then it will make sense to take it before a professional numismatist or coin appraiser for confirmation of your suspicion, get the condition of the coin assessed, and have comments made on its market value.