1943-s steel civil war wheat penny

beanz · 10-24-2009, 01:42 AM

I found a 1943 steel penny from the civil war. I just want a rough estimate on it. The mint mark, S, is worn down a little I could barley make it out. here are some pictures.

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CamaroDMD · 10-24-2009, 02:11 AM

These were made during WWII. It's worth a few cents. They are very common but very cool.

l.cutler · 10-24-2009, 07:28 AM

Yeah it is about 80 years too late for the Civil War! They are an interesting piece of history though, copper was vital for the war effort so zinc plated steel was used to make cents in 1943.

yorkiedad5 · 10-24-2009, 09:17 AM

If you want a coin from the civil war, try to find a 3 cent nickel some where. they are not very hard to find-- 1943 was ww2, cool to have also--bill

beanz · 10-24-2009, 09:38 AM

when i said civil war i really meant WW2

my mom told me it was from the civil war

CamaroDMD · 10-24-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanz

when i said civil war i really meant WW2

my mom told me it was from the civil war

Not a big deal. These coins are interesting because they have a unique metal composition. For one year, the cent was made out of zinc plated steel rather than copper as copper was a metal desperately needed for the war effort. These coins were minted in very large numbers and thus are easy to find today. However, the 1943-S is the lowest minted of the three with 191,550,000 coins minted (as opposed to the Philadelphia with 684,628,670 and the Denver with 217,660,000). But, all were minted in huge numbers so it doesn't make much difference.

physics-fan3.14 · 10-24-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanz

when i said civil war i really meant WW2

my mom told me it was from the civil war

How old are you? Anyone older than about the second grade should know the dates of the major American wars (unless of course you are not from America - but you should still know when WWII was!) I am sorely disappointed in the American education system these days, and don't blame it on your mother. I mean, you weren't even in the right century.

CamaroDMD · 10-24-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by physics-fan3.14

How old are you? Anyone older than about the second grade should know the dates of the major American wars (unless of course you are not from America - but you should still know when WWII was!) I am sorely disappointed in the American education system these days, and don't blame it on your mother. I mean, you weren't even in the right century.

Oh, leave him alone. He didn't know something and we taught him something. That's what this forum is for.

abe · 10-24-2009, 03:17 PM

Nothing like asking a question then get slapped in the face. Thats cruel...

DoK U Mint · 10-24-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDMD

Oh, leave him alone. He didn't know something and we taught him something. That's what this forum is for.

I'm here to learn too, Beanz. Coinage is one way I try to relate to history so don't let the bullies pick on you. I like your photos! Great start.

Now, which of you big shots can give me the history of the follow-up to the 1943 Steelies? I know shell casing brass was used in 1944 and beyond and they seem to tone like no other Lincolns. I'm thinking of starting a set of WWII Lincolns made from spent ammo.

My 1st stash of coins were the '43's, Beanz. They caught my eye when they were almost new.

No exceptional value except to the admirer and as a lesson in adaptability and the joy of knowing we have moved on and are not restricted to use just Yen & Marks.

rlm's cents · 10-24-2009, 04:52 PM

Sorry, but "shell casing bronze" was NOT used. From a previous thread;

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDJMSP

There was some article that came out within the last couple of years, think it was in Numismatist but can't swear to it, where they finally found the proof in the '44 mint report - no shell casing cents.

I suppose that I should keep records on where I get my info, but I don't. Habit of mine I guess because I have always been able to remember just about everything. Downside is, every now n then the wires get crossed and the memory is incorrect. This one however, is not.

beanz · 10-24-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by physics-fan3.14

How old are you? Anyone older than about the second grade should know the dates of the major American wars (unless of course you are not from America - but you should still know when WWII was!) I am sorely disappointed in the American education system these days, and don't blame it on your mother. I mean, you weren't even in the right century.

i'm 16 and i didn't think about it too much. my mom said civil war and thats what i posted.

gixxxer · 10-24-2009, 05:39 PM

I wouldn't let that bother you. We all make mistakes.

Welcome to coin collecting.
Your steel cent looks good. I've always thought they were cool!

numismasource · 10-24-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by physics-fan3.14

How old are you? Anyone older than about the second grade should know the dates of the major American wars (unless of course you are not from America - but you should still know when WWII was!) I am sorely disappointed in the American education system these days, and don't blame it on your mother. I mean, you weren't even in the right century.

This is a hobby that, basically has no boundaries. You need to consider that we all started somewhere. I personally do not find it very helpful to be arrogant to anyone who knows nothing about the hobby. I would find it more helpful to direct the perspective collector in the right direction. And btw I do not think you are fair being so critical on the OP. Maybe they were not critically thinking, but you cannot blame that on the educational system. JMHO -Dan

Lehigh96 · 10-25-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numismasource

This is a hobby that, basically has no boundaries. You need to consider that we all started somewhere. I personally do not find it very helpful to be arrogant to anyone who knows nothing about the hobby. I would find it more helpful to direct the perspective collector in the right direction. And btw I do not think you are fair being so critical on the OP. Maybe they were not critically thinking, but you cannot blame that on the educational system. JMHO -Dan

While I agree that Jason was a little harsh on the OP, if you are not going to blame the educational system, who are you going to blame?

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