I found a 1943 COPPER penny. Is it worth anything?

Question

My dad gave me his penny collection from when he was a kid. His dad gave it to him, and now he is giving it to me since i now have a child.

We went through all the pennies, and some of them date back to 1903. I also found a few 1943 steel pennies. But we also found 1 1943 COPPER penny. We looked it up to make sure it was real, by the way the 3 looks in the 1943. Its real! Is this worth anything?

Answer 1

I googled around a bit and found this. Pay attention to the 3rd paragraph:

Steel Cents
In 1943, the production of our One Cent coin went through a major change. War efforts that year required copper and its availability was limited. It was decided to change the content from copper to steel coated with zinc for the first run of the new 1943 cents. In 1944, the need for copper was reduced, and the production of the copper cent resumed.

Over one billion 1943 steel cents were produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints, making this a very common coin. However, many people found the new "look" fascinating and saved, rather than spent, the new steel cent. Today, their value ranges from about 5 cents up to about 35 cents in circulated condition. Uncirculated specimens (showing no trace of wear or handling) can bring up to about $10 in high grades.

An extremely limited number of 1943 cents were inadvertently struck on copper planchets, left in the machinery from the previous year. Very few escaped the mint unnoticed, and these are considered very desirable to collectors. Auction histories indicate the value range of an authentic 1943 copper cent to be from around $5,000 to $70,000, depending on the mint and condition. However, copper-plated forgeries abound. The primary test for these is to use a magnet. The common steel & zinc pieces (and the 1943 copper-plated fakes, as well as authentic cents from other years) will stick to the magnet. The rare copper issues will not.

Answer 2

The 1943S(steel) is worth between .40 and 1.00, depending on condition. Owing to a shortage of copper during the critical war (WWII) year of 1943, the Treasury Dept. resorted to the use of zinc-coated steel for cents. Copper was used for bullets, wiring, etc for the war effort. You have the start to a great coin collection, have fun and good luck.

Answer 3

The chances of it being the real thing is slim. No new ones have shown up for a good many years. First thing to try is the magnet trick. If it sticks to the magnet it is a copper plated zinc coated steel cent. If coated of course the date would look the same as one not coated. If it passes the magnet test go to a coin dealer or two to have them look at it. If they say it may be real then go to www.anacs.com and down load their order form and sent it to them as per their instructions to be graded and authenticated. No one will buy it unless that is done and you will make more money if real.

Answer 4

It's only worth $8

Answer 5

Probably not.
The reason for this is that every few years the government collects all the whatever year old coins and recycles them into new year coins. If you turn one in they might reject it.

Answer 6

i hope so, that's the year i was born!

Answer 7

yes 1 cent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!