The $504,000 1943-S Steel Penny: Ultimate Collector’s Guide

Breaking News: The King of Steel Cents

While most 1943 steel pennies are worth 10¢ to 1∗∗,oneextraordinary∗∗1943−S∗∗specimenholdstherecordat∗∗1∗∗,oneextraordinary∗∗1943−S∗∗specimenholdstherecordat∗∗504,000. Here’s everything you need to know about this WWII-era rarity, including how to spot valuable errors in your own collection.

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1. The $504,000 Phenomenon

Why This Specific Penny?

• PCGS MS-68 Grade: Flawless surfaces with original zinc luster
• Population Report: Only 3 known in this condition
• Auction History:
  • 2004: Sold for $112,500
  • 2021: Shattered record at $504,000 (Heritage Auctions)

Regular 1943-S Values

Grade	Value Range
MS-67	400−400−1,200
MS-65	100−100−300
AU-55	5−5−15

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2. Valuable Errors & Varieties

A. Copper-Plated Steel (Extremely Rare)

• Characteristics:
  • Reddish tint (normal steel pennies are gray)
  • Non-magnetic (standard 1943-S sticks to magnets)
• Value: $100,000+ (only 5-10 known)

B. Double Die Obverse

• Key Features:
  • Doubling on “LIBERTY” and date
  • Must weigh 2.70g (zinc-coated steel)
• Value: 5,000−5,000−25,000

C. Repunched Mintmark (RPM)

• Identification:
  • “S” shows secondary impression
  • Best seen under 10x magnification
• Value: 150−150−1,000

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3. Authentication Protocol

Step-by-Step Verification

1. Magnet Test: Must stick strongly (steel core)
2. Weight Check: 2.70g (±0.05g tolerance)
3. Surface Inspection:
   • Look for original zinc coating
   • Avoid cleaned/polished specimens
4. Professional Grading: PCGS/NGC certification recommended for coins worth $1,000+

Counterfeit Alerts

❌ Wrong weight (authentic must be 2.70g)
❌ Copper color (unless verified as ultra-rare error)
❌ “Too perfect” surfaces (common in cast fakes)

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4. Where to Find These Rarities

Best Hunting Grounds

• Original Bank Rolls: Some still exist in vaults
• Estate Sales: Look for old coin collections
• Metal Detecting: WWII-era sites may yield uncirculated examples

Modern Discovery Case

In 2022, a collector found a MS-66 1943-S in a 25bankboxofpennies−latersoldfor∗∗25bankboxofpennies−latersoldfor∗∗3,450**

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5. Selling Strategies

Auction Houses

• Heritage Auctions: Best for gem-quality specimens ($10k+)
• Stack’s Bowers: Specializes in WWII-era coins

Private Sales

• PCGS Collectors Club: For certified coins
• Coin Shows: Negotiate face-to-face

Important Tip

Raw coins typically sell for 30-50% less than certified equivalents

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Free Professional Evaluation

Think you might have a rare 1943-S? Email clear photos to:
📧 experts@pennyverse.info
Subject: “1943-S STEEL PENNY”

We’ll provide:
✔️ Free authenticity assessment
✔️ Current market valuation
✔️ Best selling options

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