I have a 1943 Copper Wheat Cent...Yes, Another One Of "Those" Threads.

Hello CoinTalk, let me start off by saying I am ecstatic to join this forum in hope of sharing and gaining knowledge on various coins. I would like to share with you a coin that I have...the infamous 1943 Copper Wheat Cent.

I know, I know...another one of "these" threads with some "newbie kook" who thinks he struck it big with a 1943 find. This isnt the case at all...I am undecided as to whether this is the "real deal" or not and I am not going to make fat claims saying it is.

I have had this coin in my possession for at least 7 years, possibly more. I was always intrigued by it and did not want to dabble too much into whether it was "real" or not because it was a nice piece just to have in my collection. It wasnt until about 3 months ago that I have been researching thoroughly about the coin...what to look for, the history of the coin, how it should present itself, etc.

From what I have gathered is the following:

-The coin should present prominent detail due to the higher strike force required for the steel blanks (weak detail would suggest a cast or poor counterfeit)
-The coin should not stick to a magnet (suggesting copper plated steel)
-The coin should weigh in the same as any pre-82 one-cent piece (3.11g)
-The coin should present a "3" with a tail (cut in half "8" will not have this tail)
-The coin should be the same diameter and thickness as any other wheat cent
-The coin should not have cast markings since it is struck.


Now, with that said, let me state that my coin:

-Has high detail and a prominent rim. All lettering is even, suggesting it is not cast.
-Does not stick to a magnet.
-Weighs 3.1g...my 1944 wheat cent weighed in at 3.0g while my 1943 steel wheat cent weighed in at 2.6g (the scale only reads one decimal digit)
-Has a tail on the 3 with a "4" lining up in the exact positions it should (top of 4 in line with top of 3, cross section of 4 lines up with middle line of 3)
-Is the same diameter and thickness of my 1943 steel cent, 1944 wheat cent, 1941 wheat cent, etc
-Does not have any casting marks along the edge or tool marks on the faces.


With all of this stated, I am considering sending it off for verification and grading, but would surely like to get input from the members here before I do so.

I will be posting the pictures of the coin as well as comparison pictures here shortly.

Kind regards,
Avid Collector

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I'd sure like to see it. Sounds intriguing.

 

pictures please??

 

I'll give you 5 bucks for it.

 

A picture would be very important. I am interested. oh, and :welcome:

 

Not sure how to post pictures here, hopefully this works.

 

Dont think that worked.


[img=http://imageshack.us/a/img801/773/20120915212003534.th.jpg]
[img=http://imageshack.us/a/img211/7640/20120916151231519.th.jpg]
[img=http://imageshack.us/a/img823/4696/2012091614580225.th.jpg]
[img=http://imageshack.us/a/img585/33/20120916145812181.th.jpg]
[img=http://imageshack.us/a/img94/585/20120916145735454.th.jpg]
[img=http://imageshack.us/a/img801/6702/20120916145605599.th.jpg]
[img=http://imageshack.us/a/img217/2723/20120916145309453.th.jpg]

 

Certainly one of the more intriguing intro posts I've seen! Can't wait to see the pictures...:welcome:

 

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Why is it that so many newcomers are so anxious to post, but when it comes to the most important part, meaning photos, it's always......"I'll post photos later."

Did all of these people turn in half of a homework assignment in school?

Chris

 

Welcome to CT.

First you state "I would like to share with you a coin that I have...the infamous 1943 Copper Wheat Cent."

Then, in the very next paragraph, you state "I am undecided as to whether this is the "real deal" or not and I am not going to make fat claims saying it is."

You'd better post some proof positive very soon or, yes, we are going to think "another one of "these" threads with some "newbie kook" who thinks he struck it big with a 1943 find."

 

half is more than what i did

 

I just made two posts above with pictures...did they not load?

 

I see them, I am not sure though.
Would mike diamond not be helpfull here?

 

I see the pics fine. Unfortunately I'm not experienced enough to tell if it's real or not.

 

The 1943 looks a bit lighter than the others and the reverse rim looks a little funky. However, if it's 3.11 grams, non-magnetic, and the diags check out...you should send it in.

 

I tried to enlarge your photos by clicking on them, and it took me to a page that froze up on me, so I won't return. What I did see while there, appeared to be a silverish tinge on the high points of the date and parts of the rim as though it had worn away which suggested that it may not be copper. I can't say for sure, but my gut feeling is that someone plated the coin.

Chris

 

Very exciting possibility there. Good research. The pictures you provided could stand some close ups of the date. Over the years, some have had the 8 shaved on a 1948 to make a 3. So a close up of the date would be a helpful clue before sending it to a professional. That would be my opinion. Sounding promising. Just get a very good look at the date.

 

Bottom line, no one here is going to be able to verify a coin like that. All you will get are opionions and you've done your research beyond anyones opionion here.

Send the coin in to PCGS and have it graded. In my mind it's the only step you have left.

 

The 3 in the date looks good but theres something about the area where the 43 is that looks funny. It's mostly the 4 that looks a bit off.

 

As far as a close up of the date, I am using a magnifying glass for these pictures, so its a bit hard to get an exact close up. Hopefully this will help some

http://imageshack.us/a/img99/8158/20120916183534109.jpg