Was there a penny made of steel in 1943?
Was there a penny made of steel in 1943?
1943 steel cents are U.S. one-cent coins that were struck in steel due to wartime shortages of copper. The Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints each produced these 1943 Lincoln cents….1943 steel cent.
| Edge | Plain |
| Composition | 99% steel with a thin layer of zinc |
| Years of minting | 1943 |
| Catalog number | – |
| Obverse |
|---|
What metal is used in post 1982 pennies?
The composition of pennies changed in late 1982, when zinc became the primary metal instead of copper. Before 1982, pennies were forged of 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc. However, as copper became more expensive, it was abandoned as the primary metal. Pennies are now made of a zinc core and a thin copper coating.
How much is a 1943 pewter penny worth?
They are worth about 10 to 13 cents each in circulated condition, and as much as 50 cents or more if uncirculated.
How do you tell if a 1982 penny is copper or zinc?
If your Lincoln Memorial penny has a date before 1982, it is made of 95% copper. If the date is 1983 or later, it is made of 97.5% zinc and plated with a thin copper coating. For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them.
Why is a 1943 Penny made of zinc?
Copper is an essential metal in the manufacturing of ammunition. In order to save copper for the war effort, the United States Mint under the authority from Congress began making pennies from steel with a thin coating of zinc. This gave the penny a silver color instead of the normal orange/brown copper color. Is your 1943 penny rare?
What kind of zinc is in a 1982 Penny?
Some 1982 pennies used the 97.5% zinc composition, while others used the 95% copper composition. With the exception of 2009 bicentennial cents minted specifically for collectors, United States cents minted after 1982 have been zinc with copper plating.
What was the last year pennies were made of copper?
The last year pennies were made of copper was 1982. However, the penny composition material used to make a penny has changed over the years. Compositions of the penny are listed below: 1793-1837 – Pure copper. 1837-1857 – Bronze (95% copper, 5% mixture of tin and zinc).
How can you tell if a 1943 cent is copper or steel?
The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.
