Steel Wheat Penny

When i found it it was just a rusty crusty clump.

Steel wheat penny. Most 1943 steel pennies that you ll find in circulation are pretty well worn and many that are worn exhibit rust. During world war ii the war effort required a lot of copper to make shell casings and munitions. A regular 1943 steel penny is worth only a few cents. A lightly circulated 1943 steel penny is generally worth 20 cents to 50 cents.

Did you know the most expensive penny is the 1944 steel wheat penny valued at 110k. 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. Found a 1943 steel wheat penny while out metal detecting. They are fairly common in nice condition since people tended to save them when they were first issued because they were unusual.

The unique composition of the coin low grade steelcoated with zinc instead of the previously 95 copper based bronzecomposition has led to various nicknames such as wartime cent steel war penny and steelie. The 1943 steel cent features the same victor david brennerdesign for the lincoln centwhich had been in use since 1909. These are worth 5 cents to 10 cents. However a few 1943 lincoln pennies wound up being struck in bronze and these rare mistakes are worth a pretty penny indeed.

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. I ve no idea if this rare 1945 penny just got in some change from store a while ago if anyone have idea is this is real. Here s the current 1943 steel wheat penny value. Mint struck pennies out of steel to help ration copper for military purposes.

1943 bronze wheat penny in 1943 the u s.