1943 COPPER PENNY       IS IT REAL??

Approximately 40 of the 1943 copper-alloy pennies are known to remain in existence with only 12 confirmed. This notable error probably happened when copper planchets were left in the coin hopper and press machines during the transition from copper to steel blanks.

During World War II, there were shortages of copper, due to the fact that the United States military consumed the majority of this precious malleable metal for use in ammunition and equipment. Therefore the US Mint was forced to research various substitutes for the production of the penny, ranging from plastic to other various metals, finally the decision was made to use a zinc coated steel to replace the standard bronze alloy.

Suddenly numerous problems started to surface. They were often mistaken for dimes. Also magnets in coin vending machines used to pick up steel slugs, also picked up the legitimate steel cents.

The 1943 steel cent is the only coin issued by the United States for circulation that does not contain any copper.

BEWARE If your 1943 copper colored penny doesn't stick to a magnet, then look at the date carefully using a magnifying glass. If the tail of the 3 doesn't extend well below the "line" of numbers, it is probably a cut-in-half 8. (See photo)

A very common fraud involving the copper 1943 cent is to cut away part of the 8 in the date of a 1948 penny. If the 3 in your date looks like half of an 8, your coin is not a genuine 1943 copper penny.

Compare the dates on the photo and note that the date on a genuine 1943 copper penny will look the same as a steel 1943 penny, not like an 8 which has been cut in half.

Any time you have a potentially valuable coin, it's always a good idea to take it to a qualified coin dealer for a professional opinion. Most dealers will not charge you to evaluate your coin(s) and give you an appraisal.

Copper cents weigh approximately 3.11 grams & Steel cents weigh approximately 2.7 grams.

Please vote yes if this article has been informative in expanding your overall knowledge of this extremely rare US Government mistake.

Thank you very much and Happy Trails.