Off-metal error
1943 copper penny: value and how to tell if yours is real
A genuine 1943 bronze ("copper") penny is one of the most valuable US cents: authenticated examples have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the unique 1943-D was reported sold for about $1.7 million in 2010. But nearly every copper-colored 1943 cent anyone finds is a plated steel cent or an altered 1948, and is worth a few cents to a few dollars.
Why a 1943 copper penny is so rare
In 1943 the US Mint switched the cent from bronze to zinc-coated steel to save copper for World War II. A small number of leftover bronze blanks were struck with 1943 dies by mistake. Estimates of how many genuine examples exist vary by source, from under 15 to about two dozen across the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco mints. The Denver example is widely described as the only one known.
How to check a "copper" 1943 penny
The magnet test (10 seconds)
Hold a fridge magnet to the coin. Steel cents stick. Bronze (copper) cents don't. That one test sorts out most 1943 and 1944 questions.
If your 1943 cent sticks to a magnet, it is a steel cent, possibly copper-plated. Plating was sold as a novelty and done at home, and it doesn't add value. If it does not stick, keep going:
- Look hard at the 3. The most common fake is a 1948 cent with part of the 8 filed away. Under magnification, an altered 3 shows tool marks or an odd shape.
- Weigh it. A bronze cent weighs about 3.11 grams. A digital scale that reads to 0.01 g is enough.
- Get it authenticated. At these values, PCGS or NGC authentication is the only proof buyers accept. Auction houses won't sell one without it.
What a normal 1943 steel penny is worth
The Mint made over a billion steel cents in 1943, so they are common. Most circulated examples are worth a few cents to a few dollars, and only bright, high-grade coins bring more. On November 11, 2026, the middle of the market for raw 1943 steel cents was listed at $4.72.
| 1943 steel cent | Listings | Median ask | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw (not graded) | 94 | $4.72 | $2.46 to $6.00 |
| Graded (PCGS, NGC, ANACS, ICG) | 6 | $34.97 | $27.45 to $65.73 |
Active fixed-price eBay listings in US Coins, titles matched to this coin, lots and replicas removed, checked November 11, 2026. These are asking prices, not sales, and many listings are hopeful or mislabeled.
On the same day, eBay showed thousands of results for "1943 copper penny" but not one listing we could match to a certified genuine bronze 1943. Real ones sell through major auction houses with grading-service paperwork.
Questions
How much is a 1943 copper penny worth?
A genuine, authenticated 1943 bronze cent is worth from about $100,000 to over $1 million depending on mint and condition. Copper-plated steel cents and altered dates, which are what most people have, are worth a few cents to a few dollars.
How do I know if my 1943 penny is copper?
Use a magnet. A steel cent sticks; bronze doesn't. If it doesn't stick, check the date for alteration and weigh it (about 3.11 g for bronze), then have PCGS or NGC authenticate it.
Are 1943 steel pennies rare?
No. Over a billion were made. Circulated ones are usually worth a few cents to a few dollars; uncirculated, high-grade examples are worth more.