During World War II, the U.S. Mint made pennies out of steel instead of copper due to wartime shortages. These 1943 steel pennies are easy to recognize because they’re magnetic and have a silver-like appearance.
Most steel pennies are common and worth only 10-50 cents, but some rare errors are highly valuable. For example:
- 1943 Copper Penny – A mistake where copper was used instead of steel, worth over $100,000.
- 1944 Steel Penny – A rare error coin valued at tens of thousands.
If you have steel pennies or other collectibles, Lucky’s Coins in Roanoke, VA, buys them! Call 540-300-1550 for an appraisal.