What's so special about a 1943 penny?

Because of its collector value, the 1943 copper cent has been counterfeited by coating steel cents with copper or by altering the dates of 1945, 1948, and 1949 pennies. The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper.

Why is a 1943 penny so valuable?

The copper was supposed to be saved for the war effort during World War II, but a chance mistake resulted in a few pennies being struck in copper. Only about 10-15 of these collectible coins still exist, making the 1943 copper penny one of the most valuable old pennies in existence.

How much is a 1943 penny worth today?

They are worth about 10 to 13 cents each in circulated condition and as much as 50 cents or more if uncirculated.

What penny is worth $1000000?

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Penny

The first 1943 copper cent was sold in 1958 for more than $40,000. In 1996, another went for a whopping $82,500. But those sales pale in comparison with the latest: this week, a dealer in New Jersey sold his 1943 penny for a staggering $1.7 million.

What penny is worth $10000?

See What Your 1948 Wheat Penny Is Worth. All about 1948 wheat pennies, including...

WHAT IS A 1943 STEEL PENNY WORTH - RARE PENNY WORTH MONEY!!

What is the rarest penny?

10 Most Valuable Old Pennies and What They're Worth

• 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny - About $375,000. ...
• 1958 Double Die Lincoln Penny - About $336,000. ...
• 1909 VDB Proof Lincoln Penny - About $269,000. ...
• 1856 Flying Eagle Cent - About $173,000. ...
• 1864 Indian Head Penny With L - About $161,000. ...
• 1914-D Lincoln Penny - About $159,000.

Is it illegal to melt pennies?

It is not illegal to melt, destroy, or modify any U.S. coins in the United States.

What are the top 10 rarest pennies?

Here's a rundown of 10 of the most valuable pennies made since 1900:

• 1914-D Lincoln Cent. ...
• 1922 Plain Lincoln Cent. ...
• 1931-S Lincoln Cent. ...
• 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent. ...
• 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent. ...
• 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent. ...
• 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent. Image: USA CoinBook. ...
• 1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent. Image: USA CoinBook.

What is the oldest penny?

What is this? The oldest penny in the world is the Birch Cent of 1792.

What are the odds of finding a 1943 copper penny?

There are perhaps as many as 200 million normal pennies currently in circulation, so your odds of finding one of the 30 or so potentially floating around out there are one in fifteen million. Due to its rarity, an actual 1943 copper penny is worth tens of thousands of dollars, if not more.

How much is a 1943 steel penny worth in 2021?

Specimens in circulated conditions aren't worth more than 15 to 30 cents. According to the PCGS coin price guide though, uncirculated coins can be worth from $7 (graded MS60) to $3,500 (graded MS68). However, there were some error strikes that year that can sell for 5 or even 6 figures.

How much is a 1943 steel penny worth with no mint mark?

The 1943 steel penny with no mint mark is worth around $0.30 in fine condition. In very fine condition the value is around $0.35. In extremely fine condition the value is around $0.40. In uncirculated condition the price is around $2.50 for coins with an MS 63 grade.

Have all the 1943 copper pennies been found?

Approximately 40 1943 copper–alloy cents are known to remain in existence. Coin experts speculate that they were struck by accident when copper–alloy 1–cent blanks remained in the press hopper when production began on the new steel pennies.

What is the error on a 1943 steel penny?

A regular 1943 steel penny is worth only a few cents. As the 1943 steel pennies circulated, the zinc coating started to turn dark gray and almost black. If it was in circulation long enough, the zinc coating completely wore off, and the steel underneath would start to show through.

What are the 15 most valuable pennies?

• 01 of 16. 1914-S Lincoln Penny. ...
• 02 of 16. 1944-D Lincoln Penny on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet. ...
• 03 of 16. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny. ...
• 04 of 16. 1872 Indian Head Penny. ...
• 05 of 16. 1969-S Lincoln Penny–Doubled Die Obverse. ...
• 06 of 16. 1926-S Lincoln Penny. ...
• 07 of 16. 1877 Indian Head Penny. ...
• 08 of 16. 1914-D Lincoln Penny.

What pennies should I keep?

So before you say, “Keep the change,” check to see if you have any of these valuable pennies:

• 1943 Bronze Lincoln. (Image: Heritage Auctions, HA.com) ...
• 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse. ...
• 1992 Close AM Reverse. ...
• 1972 Doubled Die Obverse. ...
• 1995 Doubled Die Obverse. ...
• 1999 Wide AM Reverse. ...
• 1983 Double Die Reverse.

Why is a 1958 D penny rare?

One of the biggest and rarest errors for Wheat Pennies is the 1958 Doubled Die Error. Only three examples are known to exist, with only two being officially graded by PCGS, a third party grader. Doubling can be seen very clearly on the obverse of the coin.

Where can I sell my wheat pennies?

A certified local coin shop is an excellent place to sell your coins. The best option is to find a reputable and trustworthy dealer who can estimate a penny's value. Most coin shops will offer you a fair deal, as they depend on customers' recommendations and satisfaction.

Is it illegal to rip up money?

Is it illegal in other countries? Burning money is illegal in the US, as it's against the law to do anything renders a note unfit (so destruction isn't allowed either). In Canada, it is legal to burn or destroy paper currency, but against the law to deface or melt down a coin.

What coins are illegal to own?

Currently, with the exception of the one sold on July 30, 2002, 1933 double eagle coins cannot be the legal possession of any member of the public, as they were never issued and hence remain the property of the United States government.

How much is a copper penny worth 2021?

How Much Is A Copper Penny Worth 2021? The uncirculated condition is the only condition in which these coins sell for a premium. It is priced around $0.20 to buy a 2021 penny without a mint mark and $0.00 to buy a 2021 penny with a mint mark. A MS 65 grade for a 30 in uncirculated condition.

What is a straw penny?

First, a brief history of the wheat penny: This one-cent coin, produced between 1909 to 1958, is also known as the Lincoln Wheat Ear Cent, Wheat Back, Straw Penny, Wheat Head and Wheatie. A New York sculptor, Victor David Brenner designed both sides of the coin.

Are Buffalo nickels worth anything?

Most circulated buffalo nickels are only worth a slight premium over their still legal tender face value of 5 cents. Typically 25 or 30 cents. However, experienced coin collectors pay significant premiums for buffalo nickels that look as fresh and detailed today as the day they were minted.

Why is the 1941 penny worth so much?

The most valuable variety of the 1941 wheat penny by far is one in which the obverse face has been struck twice, an error known as a doubled die. Depending on the color (red being worth the most), lower grades of this coin can be worth over $80, and this increases dramatically in higher grades.