1943 Steel Uncirculated PERFECT pennies

Discussion in 'What's it Worth' started by Lindsey Opp, Nov 22, 2018.

  1. Lindsey Opp

    Lindsey Opp Member

    Not only do I have 1... but I have 3!! Any idea what they're worth in this condition? 2 of the 3 are literally perfect. The 3rd has a whitish hue and isn't glowing as brilliantly blue as the other 2 are. Should I get them graded or how can I go about selling them? These pics dont do them justice. They're so pretty. I'm sure someone, somewhere would like them for their collection.. 20181122_113038.jpg 20181122_112910.jpg
     
    alurid likes this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Michael K

    Michael K Well-Known Member

    Even if they were not reprocessed, they would not be worth grading.
    The reprocessing may look good, but it is considered damage. Sorry.
     
  4. Lindsey Opp

    Lindsey Opp Member

    How is it reprocessed? They are from my grandfathers coin collection I inherited and I doubt he reprocessed them. They're uncirculated as far as I know and as far as my mom knows. My grandfather passed away so I cant ask him.
     
  5. tommyc03

    tommyc03 Senior Member

    These were reprocessed by companies like Littleton Coin Co and many others. Many people bought these and probably your grandad also. The original coins in uncirculated condition look very little like these.
     
    Spark1951, paddyman98, Brina and 2 others like this.
  6. BooksB4Coins

    BooksB4Coins Newbieus Sempiterna

    My sincerest sympathies over the loss of your grandfather.

    No one is suggesting he reprocessed the coins himself, but only that someone did. Unfortunately, there isn't the slightest doubt this is the case. Still, and even though they may not be worth anything worthwhile to the average collector, they should be invaluable to you and due simply to the family connection. Even if you don't see this now, someday you very well may so please consider keeping them. Not everyone has such tangible reminders of family departed and would absolutely love to be in your shoes, so in this context you really did hit the jackpot.

    Edited: wording
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2018
  7. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    Reprocessed for sure.
     
    Brina and Lindsey Opp like this.
  8. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor Supporter

    Check the edges. The coin metal was originally punched from zinc coated steel sheet metal. The obverse and reverse were still zinc coated, but the edge would show a duller colored middle of steel core. As the zinc slowly oxidized after 1943, many sent even uncirculated coins out to be re-plated. This became a no-no later on, but by them there were multiple thousand that had done it. The process also plated the steel edge to bright zinc, so if the edges are the same as the front and back, they are reprocessed. If dull maybe original. Jim
     
    Brina, Lindsey Opp and ldhair like this.
  9. alurid

    alurid Well-Known Member

    I can not tell you that your coins have been reprocessed/replated just from the photos you provided. Or that they have not been. Steel Cents are very hard to photograph, properly. The lighting is a big factor for these coins. and unless you can get up close with some macro photos it is very hard to tell. I can tell you that a 1943 steel cent with original surface on it may have a blueish tint to it. I do like the looks of the VDB on the two coins that i can see.
    This one has its mint surface. sorry for the blurr.
    43 steel (19).jpg 43 steel (21).jpg
     
    Brina and Lindsey Opp like this.
  10. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Miss Lindsey.... I am sure this isn’t what you expected but is quite true..... Two months ago my grandmother passed and I inherited her humble little collection. Which coincidentally happened to include three beautiful reprocessed war cents. So many of these cents were reprocessed years ago. I know it seems that such a lovely piece of yesteryear should be invaluable. Fact is they are so common that they command a very small premium. I will echo @BooksB4Coins sentiments though. I know I received a gift more valuable than gold when I brought my grandmother’s coins home. I believe the gift you received is just as valuable.
     
    Stevearino and Lindsey Opp like this.
  11. SilverDollar2017

    SilverDollar2017 Morgan dollars

    They have been reprocessed...not with the original mint surfaces. Keep them for sentimental value.
     
    Brina and Lindsey Opp like this.
  12. Lindsey Opp

    Lindsey Opp Member

    You are all so sweet and I sure learned something new. I never knew about reprocessing so I am so glad to learn about it because it gave me something to talk about at Thanksgiving dinner. I sounded so smart.. I'm sure you're all right about my coins. Although i did like how @alurid noticed the V.D.B. it really is a bit hard to tell on one of the coins if it is reprocessed or not. Thank you @BooksB4Coins , @Randy Abercrombie & @desertgem as well as the rest of you for your sweet words.
    Here are a couple of rim pics and a V.D.B. Pic.. I'm sure it is reprocessed tho.
    Happy Thanksgiving!!

    20181122_184940.jpg
    20181122_183852.jpg
     
    AUAGBUG, paddyman98, Magnus87 and 3 others like this.
  13. mikenoodle

    mikenoodle The Village Idiot Supporter

    That run pic is conclusive. The coin was reprocessed. It is likely that at least one of your other two was as well.

    Great pic! Welcome to the forum.
     
  14. Heavymetal

    Heavymetal Supporter! Supporter

    Great pics! Hope to see more of your grandfather’s coins.
     
  15. Brina

    Brina Well-Known Member

    Thank you everyone for your replies.
    I happened to recently see a sale ad on ebay for BU steel cents.
    Now I know the backstory, ha ha! :)
     
    mikenoodle likes this.
  16. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor Supporter

    Some of them are real on the market, but many are reprocessed. Even real they can be found uncirculated as being something new and face value, many old timers put a roll or two away. Jim
     
    Brina likes this.
  17. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    I believe mine is original and is XF to Unc. The toning has to be seen to be believed!
    43front.jpg 43back.jpg
     
    Spark1951 and alurid like this.
  18. alurid

    alurid Well-Known Member

    Yours seems to be a "struck through" coin, spot below liberty.

    The coin I posted before in this thread is not a reprocessed coin.
    I have a coin that has the fine canal type feature at the edge of Abe's beard/chin.
    A feature that your coin also has but mine is not a Denver coin.
    43 steel (76).jpg
     
  19. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    This is not my coin. Just a good example of an MS coin.
    1943ccomp.jpg
     
    AUAGBUG likes this.
  20. alurid

    alurid Well-Known Member

    It has a very interesting chin line! Does a coin retain die lines like this if it is replated?
    43 steel (62).jpg
     
  21. alurid

    alurid Well-Known Member

    This is my coin. Not sure if its MS. but it is a nice example.
    43 steel (25).jpg 43 steel (26).jpg
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page