1943-s steel civil war wheat penny

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

I'm with this guy

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.

 

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

 

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

 

See! I'm not too old to learn.

ThanX Rim. & GD.

Was ammo brass ever used in Lincolns or only on him?

 

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!

 

I remember when GD posted that...and it was news to me. But, what I don't understand is that Red Book lists a different metal composition for the 1944-1946 cents. According to it, the 1944-46 cents were made from .950 copper and .050 zinc and tin while the 1909-42, 1947-82 cents were just .950 copper and .050 zinc. I don't know if this is correct or just part of the shell case story...but I find it odd that for the claimed "shell casing years" the metal composition is different.

 

Well, at least the Lincolns cents were not made with ammo scavenged from incoming.

 

yea i got like 12 of these 1943 steell wheat pennys there worth about 4cents plus i got over 200 other wheat pennys plus alot of other old coins thanks

 

wheat pennys are cool

 

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

 

Which Red Book are you quoting, because all (2008, 2000, 1970, and 1964) of mine say the opposite. 1864 - 1942 were .950 copper and .050 zinc and tin as were the 1947 - 1982. Only the 1944 - 1946 is listed as .950 copper and .050 zinc without the tin.