Finding a 1943 copper Lincoln penny in your change is rare and exciting. This article explains what makes these coins unusual, how to check whether you have one, and realistic next steps if you think you found one worth thousands or even millions.
What is the 1943 copper Lincoln penny?
Most Lincoln cents minted in 1943 are steel with a zinc coating. The U.S. Mint switched to steel that year because copper was needed for World War II. A 1943 copper Lincoln penny is a production error: the planchet (coin blank) made of bronze was mistakenly used in 1943.
These error coins are extremely scarce. High-grade, authenticated examples are among the most sought-after modern U.S. error coins.
How to identify a 1943 copper Lincoln penny
Use careful, step-by-step checks. Do not clean the coin or handle it more than necessary; cleaning can destroy collector value.
Visual clues and color
Bronze 1943 cents usually have a brown or red-brown color like other pre-1943 copper cents. Steel 1943 cents are silver-colored, and may show rust where the zinc plating has worn.
Simple tests to run
- Magnet test: A steel 1943 cent will stick to a magnet. A genuine copper (bronze) 1943 will not.
- Weigh the coin: Bronze Lincoln cents typically weigh about 3.1 grams. Steel 1943 cents weigh less, around 2.7 grams. Use a precise digital scale.
- Edge and sound: Copper cents have a different ring than steel. A light tap on a surface can reveal differences, but this is subjective and not definitive.
Things that do not confirm authenticity
Color alone can be misleading. Coins can be plated or chemically altered to look like bronze. Always follow up with an expert authentication.
Why are some 1943 copper Lincoln pennies so valuable?
Value depends on rarity and condition. A bronze 1943 penny is an anomaly produced when a bronze planchet was accidentally fed into the press that year.
Collectors value authenticated, high-grade examples most. The combination of rarity and collector demand for a dramatic error drives prices into the high thousands and, for top-graded pieces, into seven figures.
Could your 1943 copper Lincoln penny be worth $2.1 million?
Some authenticated, high-grade 1943 bronze cents have sold for more than $1 million at auction. Reports exist of sales reaching into the low millions for the finest, certified examples.
However, most claimed finds are altered, plated, or low grade and are worth far less. The $2.1 million figure refers to the top-end market for an authenticated, high-grade specimen with strong provenance.
How to proceed if you find a suspected 1943 copper Lincoln penny
Follow a clear process to preserve value and get accurate information.
- Stop handling the coin with bare hands. Place it in a soft holder or coin flip to avoid further damage.
- Do not clean the coin. Cleaning voids grading and hurts value.
- Run basic non-destructive tests: magnet test and weigh on a precise scale.
- Take clear photos: obverse, reverse, close-ups of the date and mint mark, and an edge shot.
- Contact a reputable third-party grading service (PCGS or NGC) or a trusted local coin dealer for authentication and grading advice.
- If advised, submit the coin for third-party grading. Authentication will give the coin market credibility.
How authentication and grading affect value
Third-party grading companies evaluate composition, authenticity, and condition. A certified coin with documentation sells for far more than an uncertified one.
Professional grades range from circulated to mint state levels. Even within authentic 1943 bronze cents, the market assigns a wide price range depending on surface condition, luster, and strike quality.
Because most 1943 cents were struck on steel, any bronze 1943 cent is an out-of-sequence error that typically occurred when blank planchets from 1942 or earlier remained on the press. These error coins are rare and therefore highly collectible.
Real-world example (case study)
A private collector reported finding a brown-toned 1943 cent in a pocket change batch. The coin failed the magnet test and weighed about 3.1 grams. The owner photographed the coin, contacted a local numismatic expert, and was advised to send it to a major grading service.
After authentication and grading, the coin was certified and authenticated as a 1943 bronze error. It was subsequently consigned to an established auction house where it sold for a seven-figure price. Documentation and reputable grading were key to achieving that price.
Where to get help
- Professional grading: PCGS, NGC
- Major auction houses: consult for high-value sales (Stack’s Bowers, Heritage)
- Local coin dealers and coin clubs: for initial inspections and referrals
Final practical tips
- Do not clean or alter the coin.
- Document and photograph the coin before moving it.
- Use non-destructive tests first (magnet, weight).
- Get professional authentication before discussing sale prices publicly.
Finding a 1943 copper Lincoln penny is rare enough to warrant careful handling and professional advice. With the right steps, you can confirm authenticity and, if genuine, access the proper channels to realize the coin’s market value.
