i was thinking of this coin and took and copied your pic and overlaid it with a 1948 penny.the 8 overlays pefect.it does not look altered from the pic and close up but it is very dirty.most likely a problem happend on the die.i have many coins on here i post that are very very strange but just not collectable.sorry just keep searching and it will pay off trust me
Copper 1943 This is funny, just bought a copper plated 43 from my coin guy's misc box yesterday! The date on yours was a '48, saw one years ago in a shop and the dealer said he used to get a few evey year in the 60's & 70's.
i agree with Jim The 3 on the 43 should tail below the # line and this 3 is clearly even with the # line.
Yes, too many scam artist on a valuable coins.. specially those very easy date to altered and mintmark...And I am feeling safe on my AVATAR...1995 Dbl Denom a Key date.. :thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb: