Lincoln Wheat Cent (Steel Cent)

United States of America · 1943

A silver-colored United States penny issued during World War II, specifically the 1943 steel variety.

Country: United States of America
Year: 1943
Denomination: One Cent (1¢)
Metal: Zinc-coated steel (99% low-carbon steel core with a 0.001-inch zinc plating)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified May 4, 2026More united states of america coins →

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Overview

A silver-colored United States penny issued during World War II, specifically the 1943 steel variety.

Historical significance

Produced only in 1943, these 'steelies' were created to conserve copper for the war effort (ammunition and shell casings) during World War II. They are the only regular-issue U.S. coins that can be picked up with a magnet.

Obverse (front)

A portrait of Abraham Lincoln facing right, designed by Victor David Brenner. Above is the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST', to the left 'LIBERTY', and the date '1943' to the right.

Reverse (back)

Two stalks of wheat framing the words 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'. Above this, the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM'.

Estimated value

$0.10 - $0.50 in circulated condition; $1.00 - $10.00 in Mint State; over $25 for high-grade specimens (MS-66+).

What drives this coin's value

Condition and the presence of any original zinc luster. The 1943 copper cent (an error) is worth hundreds of thousands, while the common steel version is very affordable.

Grade assessment

Very Good to Fine (VG-F). Note: The images appear to show significant blurring or camera shake, but the coin shows visible wear on Lincoln's hair and the fields appear dulled/oxidized.

Mintage & rarity

684,628,670 (Common). Overall 1943 mintage exceeded 1 billion across all mints; these were widely saved as novelties.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

A genuine 1943 steel cent MUST be magnetic. If a '1943' penny is copper-colored but magnetic, it is likely a copper-plated steel cent. If it is high-weight and non-magnetic copper, it could be a rare error or a altered date/counterfeit.

Notable varieties & errors

1943-D Doubled Die Obverse, 1943-S over S (DDO), and 1943 Copper Cent (the holy grail of error coins).

Similar coins

1943 copper cents (extremely rare errors), silver dimes (if tarnished, though smaller), and foreign steel coinage. High-quality replated steel cents are often sold to collectors but have little numismatic value compared to original surfaces.

Care & preservation

Do not clean. Steel cents are prone to 'zinc rot' and corrosion. Store in a cool, dry place within PVC-free holders (like cardboard flips or plastic capsules) to prevent rusting.

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