1943 Copper Penny Value

$100,000 – $1,500,000

The 1943 Copper Penny was minted at the Philadelphia Mint. Values range from $100,000 in lower grades to $1,500,000 in top condition. This is a key date, making it especially sought-after by collectors.

1943 | Philadelphia | Mintage: Unknown

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Market Activity

SoldHigh BidFor SaleLast Asking PriceMoving Average

Avg: $405,556 High: $1,500,000 Low: $100,000 9 total data points

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade
Grade	Value
Good (G-4) Major design elements visible but heavily worn	$100,000
Very Good (VG-8) Design clear, moderate to heavy wear	$125,000
Fine (F-12) Even wear on high points, all lettering visible	$150,000
Very Fine (VF-20) Light to moderate wear on high points	$175,000
Extremely Fine (EF-40) Light wear on highest points only	$200,000
About Uncirculated (AU-50) Traces of wear on highest points	$250,000
Mint State (MS-60) No wear, may have marks or reduced luster	$400,000
Choice (MS-63) Moderate marks, good eye appeal	$750,000
Gem (MS-65) Best Value Strong luster, light marks in non-focal areas	$1,500,000

Under $100 $100 - $1,000 Over $1,000

Coin Specifications

Year

1943

Mint

Philadelphia

Mintage

Unknown

Composition

95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc (bronze planchet error)

Weight

3.11 grams

Diameter

19 mm

Edge

Plain

Designer

Victor D. Brenner

Series

Lincoln Wheat Error (1909-1958)

PCGS #

82710

Historical Notes

One of the most famous US coins. In 1943, pennies were struck on zinc-coated steel to conserve copper for WWII. A few bronze planchets left in the hopper produced these legendary errors. Only about 20-40 are known to exist.

Varieties

Bronze Planchet Error

Struck on a leftover 1942 bronze planchet instead of the zinc-coated steel planchets used in 1943 due to wartime copper conservation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 1943 Copper Penny worth? +

A 1943 Copper Penny is worth between $100,000 and $1,500,000 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1943 Lincoln Wheat Error coins were made? +

The Philadelphia Mint produced Unknown 1943 Lincoln Wheat Error coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the 1943 Copper Penny a key date? +

Yes, the 1943 Copper Penny is considered a key date in the Lincoln Wheat Error series. Key dates are coins with low mintage, high collector demand, or both, making them among the most valuable in the series.

How much is a 1943 copper penny worth? +

Genuine 1943 bronze error pennies sell for over $100,000 at auction. High-grade specimens can reach prices well above $250,000.

Is my 1943 copper penny real? +

Most 1943 pennies that appear copper are actually steel pennies that someone plated or coated. A real 1943 bronze penny weighs 3.11 grams, whereas the standard steel version weighs 2.70 grams.