My Uncle seems to think he has an error coin!!! Please help

my Uncle had an old collection of pennies one is a 1943 penny. How does one go about having them appraised?

 

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1943 cents were not copper. They were steel coated zinc.

 

Welcome to the site! Unfortunately, the coin you have is not an error coin.

In 1943, copper was highly valuable for the war effort and, as a result, cents (pennies) were made from steel.

This change only lasted one year, but hundreds of millions of these coins were minted and they are worth only about 5 to 10 cents each.

However, that certainly is a very cool coin that any collector would love to have. After all, its a special issue and is the only U.S. coin ever made that is magnetic.

 

Also, don’t forget to check that folder for valuable key date coins.

Look for...

1909 (all mints)
1914-D
1922
1931-S

 

Looks like Whitman's Lincoln Cents, folder number 2. A few holes but not to worry. You may be able to sell for $10.00 but if you take to you LCS (local coin shop) you can expect less. No real key dates in there and all are circulated.

The 1943 is made of steel. Due to the war effort copper was needed. Millions were made so only worth a few cents as they are common.

Your LCS can give you a better idea of prices.

 

Sorry, but a dealer isn't going to offer you very much and don't be surprised if the tell you they have no interest in buying them. Although it's an interesting collection, the coins are very common and dealers usually have lots of examples in inventory.

In all honesty, you'll probably spend more money in gas and parking or on eBay fees and postage than you'll get for the coins.

My suggestion would be to keep them as remembrance of your Uncle and maybe even start a collection, or give them to a younger relative that might be interested in coin collecting.

 

just beware of a copper 1943 penny, there are many copper coated ones out there. If a magnet sticks to it it's steel and not worth a whole lot except memories of your uncle.

 

just also beware of the 1943 copper cent that has had a original date of 1948 with the left sides of the 8 "dremeled" off making it look like a three. look for swirl/buff marks near the three