Depending on condition and authentication, a genuine 1943 copper penny has sold for tens of thousands of dollars, with some examples reaching or exceeding $85,000 at auction.
To someone unfamiliar with coin collecting, distinguishing between a steel penny and a rare copper version might seem difficult. But there are simple steps anyone can take to begin evaluating their coins.
First, check the date. The coin must read 1943. If it is any other year, it does not fall into this particular category. Next, observe the color. Most 1943 pennies were made of steel and have a silver or gray tone. If you see a reddish-brown copper-colored 1943 penny, that is the first sign that it may be unusual.
One quick test involves a magnet. Steel pennies are magnetic. If you hold a magnet to a typical 1943 steel penny, it will stick. A genuine 1943 copper penny will not respond to a magnet because copper is not magnetic. If your 1943 penny does not stick, you may have something worth investigating further.
However, caution is important. Over the years, some individuals have altered steel pennies by copper-plating them to imitate the rare version. Others have modified the date on 1948 pennies to resemble 1943. These counterfeit attempts can appear convincing at first glance. That is why professional authentication is essential before drawing any conclusions about value.
Another penny that commands impressive prices is the 1955 doubled die penny. Unlike the 1943 copper error, this coin is valuable due to a dramatic minting mistake that caused the date and lettering to appear visibly doubled. The doubling is not subtle; it is clearly noticeable without magnification.
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