The $500,000 1943 Copper Penny: The Ultimate Collector’s Guide

Could Your 1943 Penny Be Worth a Fortune?

A once-in-a-lifetime discovery has surfaced – a 1943 copper wheat penny found in an ordinary roll from Amityville, New York. This extraordinary coin could be worth over $500,000 if authenticated. Here’s everything you need to know about this numismatic legend.

Why This 1943 Penny Is So Valuable

The Historical Background

• In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to steel pennies to conserve copper for WWII
• A few copper planchets were accidentally struck with 1943 dies
• Only 10-15 specimens are confirmed to exist today
• Each discovery makes national news in the coin world

Key Identification Features

1. Date: Must be clearly 1943 (no re-punched dates)
2. Weight: 3.11 grams (not 2.7g like steel cents)
3. Magnetism: Will NOT stick to a magnet
4. Color: Distinct copper/bronze appearance (not gray)

Step-by-Step Authentication Process

1. Initial Examination

• Verify the date is clearly 1943
• Check for signs of alteration (tool marks, added copper plating)
• Compare to known genuine examples

2. Weight Test (Most Important)

• Steel cent: 2.7 grams
• Copper cent: 3.11 grams (±0.13g acceptable)
• Use a precision scale (0.01g accuracy)

3. Magnet Test

• Genuine steel cent: Strong magnetic attraction
• Copper cent: No reaction to magnet
• Use a rare earth magnet for best results

4. Professional Grading

• Must be certified by PCGS or NGC
• Will receive special “1943 Copper” designation
• Grading fee: $300+ (special handling required)

Grading & Valuation

Grade	Description	Value Range
AG-3	Heavy wear, date visible	100,000−100,000−150,000
G-4	Outlines clear, major wear	175,000−175,000−250,000
VF-20	Moderate wear, some detail	300,000−300,000−400,000
AU-50	Light wear, mint luster	450,000−450,000−600,000
MS-63	Few marks, attractive	750,000−750,000−1,000,000+

The Amityville Discovery

• Found in original wheat penny rolls from Amityville, NY
• Current owner is submitting to PCGS/NGC for grading
• If authentic, will be the 16th known specimen
• Potential value: $500,000+ at auction

How to Protect Your Potential Treasure

1. Handle by edges only – Use cotton gloves
2. Store in airtight holder – Prevent oxidation
3. Document everything – Take photos of discovery
4. Insure immediately – During grading process

Where to Sell If Authenticated

1. Heritage Auctions

• World record for coin sales
• Special error/rarity department
• Expect 15% seller’s fee

2. Stack’s Bowers

• Experience with ultra-rarities
• Private museum connections
• 12% seller’s fee

3. Private Treaty Sale

• Direct to top collectors
• Lower fees (5-8%)
• Requires professional representation

Beware of Fakes & Alterations

Common scams include:

• Copper-plated steel cents (will fail weight test)
• Altered 1948 pennies (8 can look like 3)
• Cast counterfeits (wrong metal composition)
• Tooled coins (visible marks under magnification)

What Makes This Discovery Special

• Found in original bank rolls (best provenance)
• From Amityville, NY (adds interesting backstory)
• Discovered by a collector following proper verification steps
• Potentially the first new specimen in 5 years

Join Our Rare Penny Hunters Community

🔍 At PennyVerse.info you’ll get:

• Free rare penny identification guides
• Live Q&A with grading experts
• Breaking news on new discoveries
• Members-only access to our rarity database

Think you’ve found a 1943 copper cent? Our team can help with free preliminary verification – contact us before sending to PCGS/NGC!

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