$85,000 Penny Alert: How to Spot the Rare 1943 Copper Wheat Cent

By PennyVerse.info

A single 1943 copper wheat penny can be worth $85,000 or more – and it might still be hiding in circulation! At PennyVerse.info, we’ve helped collectors identify these legendary rarities. Here’s everything you need to know to spot one in your pocket change.

Why the 1943 Copper Penny is So Valuable

Historical Background

• 1943: U.S. Mint switched to steel pennies for WWII
• 10-20 copper planchets accidentally used
• Only 10-15 specimens confirmed to exist today
• Last found in circulation: 1958 (by a student in lunch money)

Recent Record Prices

• $204,000 (PCGS MS-62 Brown, 2019)
• $112,500 (NGC AU-55, 2021)
• $85,000 (PCGS EF-45, 2020)

How to Identify a Genuine 1943 Copper Penny

Step 1: The 4 Critical Tests

1. Color Check
   ✅ Genuine: Copper-red throughout
   ❌ Fake: Silver-gray (steel) or plated look
2. Magnet Test
   ✅ Genuine: Non-magnetic
   ❌ Fake: Magnetic attraction
3. Weight Verification
   ✅ Genuine: 3.11 grams
   ❌ Fake: 2.7 grams (steel weight)
4. Edge Inspection
   ✅ Genuine: Solid copper edge
   ❌ Fake: Silver edge or copper plating visible

Step 2: Date & Mint Mark Verification

• Must show clear 1943 date (no alterations)
• Can appear with:
  • No mint mark (Philadelphia)
  • “D” (Denver)
  • “S” (San Francisco)
• All versions are extremely rare

Where These Rarities Are Found Today

1. Old Coin Collections (often unrecognized)
2. Estate Sales (mixed with common pennies)
3. Foreign Holdings (shipped overseas during WWII)
4. Bank Vaults (unsearched old rolls)

What to Do If You Find One

1. Handle carefully with cotton gloves
2. Take clear photos (obverse, reverse, edge)
3. Contact PCGS/NGC immediately
4. Insure before shipping to grading service
5. Consign to Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers

Beware of Fakes & Alterations

Common Counterfeits:

• Plated 1943 steel cents (will be magnetic)
• Altered 1948 pennies (tooled dates)
• Modern replicas (wrong metal composition)

Red Flags:

• Weak copper color
• Visible plating bubbles
• Incorrect weight (anything ≠ 3.11g)

Free Resources from PennyVerse.info

• Printable 1943 Copper Penny Checklist
• How to Photograph Coins Properly
• Current Auction Results

Think you’ve found one? Get expert verification at PennyVerse.info.