I really think you should save your money (or use it for a coin or reference book). Google 1944 Steel cents and look at the pics. There are only about 20-30 known 1944 steel cents for all mints (from over 2 BILLION coins). And after beating those odds, you happen to find one that has an additional filled die mint error AND it just happens to be at exact spot needed to authenticate the coin, on a type that has a history of having altered dates, after some very well known and experienced error collectors have posted doubts? I'm not trying to mean or sarcastic, just realistic. Save your money. To paraphrase William of Occam, 14th century Philosopher and Theologian; the simplest explanation is usually the correct explanation.
Lol. Let's just imagine..... the universe told you to keep looking in one spot, for a month straight. You just so happened to find this coin. Also you have always had a weird feeling for this situation. Do youuuuuuu just $T¢P??
I am 100% certain that this is a 1943 cent. The shape of the 4 matches 1943, and not 1944. I do not know if this was an attempted alteration or post mint damage. It could be either one.
I guess the only way you will be satisfied, one way or the other, is to submit it. If you score, bingo. If you don't, write off the fee as an educational expense.
Alright very acceptable answer and I think that's what I'm leaning towards I do not think this was an attempt for forgery. There's something else another piece the story. I keep digging in finding out more and more information but I feel like somebody know something that will make me smile on the way to get graded.
Hopefully its a diamond in the rough, but based off of the newer pics you posted I see what appears to be a 3, especially the photos you took from a right angle. I'm saying it's an altered 43, if you do decide to send it into a TPG I hope I'm wrong. Happy hunting!
I'm a little nervous about it I can't lie but I haven't gotten my hopes up too high or else I would have been out trying to get it mailed off instantly. I have a couple facts and more pictures . I have found other cent pieces with hidden numbers pretty close to the date. It's just one number though the last digit of the year. My coin has a 4 in this General location. The novice figured all this out on his own. Only 2 months into his new hobby. Fact 2. the die are not the same for the 1944 copper penny and the steel one that I have. Fact 3 the dates don't even look the same. Explanations now?
That to me looks like a Struck through grease or debris. Sorry, that's my opinion. I see a weird 4 shape but it looks slanted! On a 1944 the last digit would not be slanted.
Observe the rim nearest the last digit of the date. Notice how beat-up it is? I believe the same force that damaged the rim also distorted the last digit of the date. I now believe that it is, indeed, a 1943.
