I got a 1943 one cent coin and I want to know what its worth. the coin in not bronze or copper. Not sure what metal it is.
The 1943 Cent was struck in zinc coated steel, most examples have little or no value above that of a common wheat cent, high grade MS-65 and above with original plating to match the grade(many of these cents were replated) carry a premium. Most of these cents are black or very dark some are even rusty, with little of the original plating left. Rick
Those are zinc coated steel. They were made when copper was needed for the war. These are the coins that started me in coin collecting. You could still find them in circulation in the late 50's. They made so many, that they aren't worth much unless they are high mint state, but they are cool By the way....Welcome to the forum!!!
Actually Becky,you could still find steel cents in circulation in the early 60's and I remember finding a few myself.Of course I lived in Germany at the time and the US currency there tended to be a bit older. I finally gave up looking for nice ones that way and bought some UNC's from a good dealer.
Oddly enough I too started to collect coins when I first saw those 1943 steel cents. They were everywhere back then but of course I'm talking about in 1943. I ended up having about 25 rolls of them before I realized there was no value for them then. It was one of the tings my Dad gave me that makes me remember what a great Dad he was. I still have those 25 rolls, in plastic rolls with the lid sealed.
