How do you know if a penny is copper or steel?

The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.

How do I know if my penny is copper?

If your Lincoln Memorial penny has a date before 1982, it is made of 95% copper. If the date is 1983 or later, it is made of 97.5% zinc and plated with a thin copper coating. For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them.

What is a 1943 steel penny worth today?

Because they are quite common, a 1943 penny in circulated condition is not worth much. According to USA Coin Book, a steel penny from 1943 in circulated condition is worth between 16 cents and 53 cents. However, Heritage Auctions sells 1943 steel pennies in pristine, uncirculated condition for more than $1,000.

Will a steel penny stick to a magnet?

If you find a copper 1943 or steel 1944 penny, do two things: Test the coin with a magnet. Real steel coins will stick; coated coins will not.

What does a 1943 steel penny look like?

A regular 1943 steel penny is worth only a few cents. As the 1943 steel pennies circulated, the zinc coating started to turn dark gray and almost black. If it was in circulation long enough, the zinc coating completely wore off, and the steel underneath would start to show through.

1943 Lincoln Cent Steel Penny Value! Do you have a 1943 Penny Worth $300,000?

How can you tell if a penny is bronze or copper?

Try picking your coin up with a magnet. If your coin is attracted to the magnet, it is made of copper-plated steel (a fraud). If the magnet does not attract your coin, it may be made of bronze and you should have the coin authenticated to determine if it is the "real deal".

What penny is worth $10000?

See What Your 1948 Wheat Penny Is Worth. All about 1948 wheat pennies, including...

What year penny is worth $1000000?

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Penny

The first 1943 copper cent was sold in 1958 for more than $40,000. In 1996, another went for a whopping $82,500. But those sales pale in comparison with the latest: this week, a dealer in New Jersey sold his 1943 penny for a staggering $1.7 million.

Why is the 1944 penny rare?

The 1944 Lincoln penny is particularly desirable in the eyes of collectors not only because of its design, but also due to its scarcity. Being that there are no more 1944 Lincolns being produced, the scarcity of these coins is constantly on the rise, thus making the coins more valuable.

How can you tell if something is copper?

Strike your copper item against something and listen to the sound. Copper is a soft metal and should deliver a muted sound. Alloys are more likely to produce a clear, ringing bell-like sound.

Are all 1982 pennies copper?

So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years. So a penny produced before 1982 is worth 2.2 cents based on the metal it contains.

Which pennies are copper?

The pre-1982 pennies are 95% copper. Because of their copper content, these coins are worth about twice their face value. The modern pennies after the year 1982 are 97.5% zinc and only 2.5% copper. Copper pennies are getting harder to find as people are searching their change and storing the pre-1982 pennies.

What makes a 1982 penny rare?

The most valuable 1982 penny is a transitional error caused by the move from 95% copper to 99.2% zinc composition. It's the 1982-D "small date" Lincoln Memorial cent made from copper. There wasn't supposed to be any "small date" bronze Lincoln cents struck in Denver in 1982.

What is the rarest penny?

How do you tell if your penny is worth a lot?

Those in better condition can have double-digit value. Special examples (especially those in near perfect condition) can be worth much more. Indian Head pennies from 1859 to 1879 are generally worth more than $10. And pennies dated from 1879 to 1909 are worth at least $1.

Will copper penny stick to a magnet?

The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.

Does bronze stick to a magnet?

Bronze is a mixture (alloy) of mostly copper with about 12% tin, and sometimes small amounts of nickel (nickel can make it very slightly magnetic but, generally, bronze is not magnetic).

How much is a 1943 steel penny worth in 2021?

Specimens in circulated conditions aren't worth more than 15 to 30 cents. According to the PCGS coin price guide though, uncirculated coins can be worth from $7 (graded MS60) to $3,500 (graded MS68). However, there were some error strikes that year that can sell for 5 or even 6 figures.

Is 1943 Lincoln steel penny no mint?

No Mintmark Under Date: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin

Philadelphia's high mintage of 1943 pennies, (684,628,670) is the 5th highest of any year wheat cent.