You may have heard the old saying, “Find a penny, pick it up and you’ll be lucky all day,” but what if that penny actually made you a millionaire?
Imagine stumbling across a coin that could change your life forever. While most pennies are worth just one cent, there’s a rare 1943 penny that could be hiding in your wallet, couch cushions, or even mixed in with your change—and it could be worth a small fortune.
Read on to learn how this cent, which looks like any other, could be one of the most valuable coins in existence.
If you happen to find a penny, pick it up because it could bring you a lifetime of luck.
However, these particular pennies are not magnetic like most dimes. If you’re lucky enough to come across one of the estimated 40 1943 copper pennies in existence, you may be holding a treasure worth a small fortune at auction.
Read on to learn more about these exceptional pennies!
By 1943, due to the high demand for copper and nickel during World War II, almost all pennies in circulation were made of galvanized steel.
Identifying a Rare 1943 Mint Error -The Steel Penny #coin #money #currency pic.twitter.com/e2O8FRLn95
— Couch Collectibles (@couchcollect) May 29, 2024
Still, due to a rare error, some pennies were mistakenly minted in copper, and these error coins now have considerable value.
According to the United States Mint, only about 40 copper alloy pennies are believed to exist today. Their extreme rarity makes them highly sought after by collectors.
The 1943 copper cent is considered one of the most sought-after and valuable items in American numismatics.
To conserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. Mint minted the first “steel pennies,” which were galvanized one-cent coins. These steel pennies often rust when handled because of the exposed steel edges, and their silver color could easily be mistaken for dimes.
In fact, in 1958, a 1943 copper penny sold for over $40,000, and in 2010, one lucky bidder fetched a staggering $1.7 million at auction.
Think you have a rare penny?
Before you start checking all of your 1943 copper penny spares, here are some important tips to help you determine if you’ve found one of the valuable error coins.
Check the Material
Steel Penny: The vast majority of 1943 pennies were made of galvanized steel. These pennies have a silvery appearance but may darken or rust over time. Copper Penny: The rare copper penny from 1943 will have the typical reddish-brown hue of the regular penny, unlike this year’s steel coins.
Use a magnet
Steel pennies are magnetic: Use a magnet to test your 1943 penny. If it sticks, it’s steel. Copper pennies are not magnetic: A non-magnetic 1943 penny may be made of copper, although you should still be wary of fakes (more on that below).
Check the plating
Beware of counterfeits: Some steel pennies from 1943 were coated with copper to fool collectors. These altered coins often have uneven plating and you can see the steel underneath where the copper has worn away.
Look for Authenticity
Check the Date and Mint Mark: Make sure the date on your penny is clearly “1943”. You should also look for the mint mark: “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, or no mark for Philadelphia. Professional Grading: Since some counterfeit coins are very convincing, it is wise to have your penny professionally graded by a coin grading service to confirm its legitimacy.
If you come across a non-magnetic 1943 penny with a copper-like appearance, you may have stumbled upon a rare and valuable coin. However, it is important to have it verified by experts to verify its authenticity!
Let us know if you’re holding onto one of these potentially valuable pennies! And feel free to share this article with your friends so they too can learn how to find pennies worth a fortune!
In conclusion, while finding a penny may seem like a small fortune, finding a rare copper penny from 1943 can be a life-changing win. These elusive error coins are very valuable, with only about 40 believed to exist, and can fetch millions at auction. However, identifying the real deal requires careful investigation and ideally professional verification. If you think you’ve found one, don’t hesitate to have it examined by experts to confirm its value. Share this information with others so they too can learn how to uncover this rare treasure!