EXTREMELY RARE!! 1943 S STEEL PENNY W/ MULTIPLE ERRORS

Many collectors like "original" coins - as made by the mint. Circulated coins that are buffed and then plated are for the uninformed. They love them because they are pretty. Unfortunately, what is pretty to a CRH is Pretty Awful to a numismatist.

 

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Since the fresh coat of zinc was applied outside of the minting process, it is only Post mint damage, same as coating a cent with gold or silver, PMD. If you like the appearance, they are plentiful.

 

We’ve all seen that quasi-prooflike type of 1943 cent. It is on one type of reprocessed cent. A true unmolested 1943 cent in BU will have a bright frosty finish, not proof-like.

 

It doesn't have to be bright, frosty yes.
This is a 66+

 

Hmm. My MS67 is full bright.

 

Actually I have mapped out what appears to be 3 different obverse dies for the 1943-S Bronze Cent. Not just the one as you suggested in your post. Using my map overlay of the 3 obverse dies - the example you posted appears to be obverse #1 (green mm location). You can find examples of these coins struck in steel. If you want to take up the search.

 

It would be much more surprising if all the copper 43's were from the same pair of dies at San Francisco and Philadelphia. If the copper planchets were actually stuck in tote bins or in the equipment you would not expect them to all go through the press at the same time. They would go through at random times and most likely through different presses. Even if they went through the same press, if they went through at random times the dies would probably not be the same ones that struck previous ones. Now of course in Denver they all come form the same die pair but cause so far the 43 D copper is unique. But if a second one ever does show up, it will most likely be from a different die pair as well.

 

Eye-appeal is the "bowl" that holds all the requisites for each part of the Mint State grade determination. Unfortunately , it is the ONLY subjective part of that formula as all the others can be measured with a semblance of precision.

I should be very interested to read personal opinions on the MS grade of this coin from members here.

 

Not my series. But I am now sure that on some points I have a lot to learn.

 

Eye appeal is something common to all series. What do you think about the coin? Do you like one side better as they are very different?

 

Which coin are we talking about?

 

Post #44

 

I like the reverse. The obverse doesn't work for me....I'd have never given it a second glance raw.... not to knock anybody's coin...and maybe I'd feel better about the grade in hand...I'm listening...

 

Great Post! Actually, you were listening and you answered correctly. Eye appeal is all about your "taste", what you like. I also prefer the reverse (on this one) but I've seen steel's with this obverse before and they are very attractive. They are also much more elusive - try to find one!

The status quo taste of the majority of collectors is subject to change over time. When collecting, it does not matter what others like at the moment, just be aware when buying or selling, the closer your taste mirrors the majority the better. The only time this is not true is when your taste is "ahead of the rest" and you are buying something few want or recognize at the moment.

 

This. (2nd paragraph.) This tells me why I don’t and won’t pay ANYTHING extra, including the portion already in the grade, for toning. I am convinced weird toning is at its peak maximum silly popularity right now. Unless we’re all taking Stupid Pills.

 

Although I really can't say what caused the toning on this cent, could have been an end roll. I was at the ANA last summer, it was the final day. I went by this dealers case and he had two cases with miscellaneous coins. There was probably 25 or more steel cents all S MM. And all 66 and 66+. It looked as if the guy sent a roll in to get graded, looking for the 67. I searched them for variety's pulled three from the case.
What I also need to mention is that they all were marked 25$ ea or 5 for a hundred. I have sold the other three for a good profit, and this one stays in my coin cabinet as the only graded example in my collection.

 

One rule of thumb is that an MS processed steel will look silver while an MS original 1943 will look bright grey.

 

@Janine Gomez It seems that a picture is still missing that shows a natural example of this coin.

I don’t show the edges in my photo below. As alluded to above, the coin is made from a sheet of steel that is rolled out in a rolling mill and then galvanized by applying a thin layer of zinc to each side.

When the planchets were punched the edges were bare steel, so that exposed steel was unprotected and started to rust and corrode immediately.

There was a craze for prettying these up by dipping them in a zinc replating bath. This not only gave a fresh appearance to the faces but galvanized the bare edges as well. This also tends to fill in the microscopic surface texture and create a more reflective, even mirror-like, surface.

(There are also lots of copper replated coins as well that get novices excited about finding a fortune. A simple check with a magnet reveals the steel inside.)

 

American or Chinese steel?


Just kidding of course.

 

That is the worst, I have coins from my family and they cleaned them and I was so disappointed.