This rare penny exists only because of a minting mistake during World War II, and today it stands as a true “holy grail” piece for collectors worldwide. 
How a Minting Mistake Created a $500,000 Penny
In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched from copper cents to zinc-coated steel pennies to conserve copper for the war effort.
But a few leftover bronze planchets from 1942 were accidentally struck with the 1943 dies — creating a tiny number of genuine 1943 bronze cents.
Only a few dozen are known to exist, making them one of the rarest and most valuable U.S. coins ever made.
Key Identification Features
Here’s how to tell if you’ve discovered one of these six-figure rarities.
Diagnostic Comparison
| Feature | 1943 Bronze Cent | Regular 1943 Steel Cent |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3.11 g (±0.05 g) | 2.70 g |
| Magnet Test |  Non-magnetic |
 Strongly magnetic |
| Color | Reddish-brown | Silvery gray |
| Sound Test | Dull “clink” | Sharp “ping” |
| Edge | Solid copper color | Zinc-plated steel layers visible |
Pro Tip: If your 1943 penny sticks to a magnet → it’s NOT the rare bronze version.
Mintmark Varieties (All Are Rare!)
All three U.S. Mints accidentally produced bronze cents in 1943:
- Philadelphia (no mintmark) — most commonly found
- Denver (D) — produced the famous $1.7 million example sold in 2010
- San Francisco (S) — extremely scarce, only a few known
Value Guide: What Your 1943 Bronze Cent Is Worth (2025 Update)
| Grade | Description | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| MS-64 BN | Premium near-gem | $350,000 – $504,000 |
| AU-55 BN | Light wear | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| XF-40 BN | Moderate wear | $75,000 – $125,000 |
Record Sale:
$504,000 — PCGS MS-64 BN (2024)
Where to Search for This Rare Penny
Collectors have found these half-million-dollar coins in surprising places:
Original 1940s rolls (especially Philly issues)
Estate collections or inherited coin albums
European hoards — many U.S. coins circulated overseas after WWII
Recent Discovery:
In 2022, a Massachusetts family found one in an old attic jar — later certified and sold for $365,000!
How to Authenticate a 1943 Bronze Cent
Follow these essential steps before sending your coin for grading:
Magnet Test
Should NOT stick at all.
Weight Test
Must weigh 3.11 grams ± 0.05.
XRF Composition Analysis
Metal should confirm 95% copper, not steel.
Certification Submission
Send to PCGS or NGC for authentication and grading.
(Certified examples always sell for top dollar.)
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Be careful — many fakes exist.
Avoid coins with:
- Incorrect weight
- Partial magnetism (plated steel)
- Bubbles, casting marks, or smooth fake edges
- Artificial copper plating
Free Expert Evaluation (Optional Section for Your Website)
Think you may have a genuine 1943 bronze cent?
Email us for a free preliminary review:
copper@pennyverse.info
Subject: 1943 COPPER CHECK
You’ll receive:
Photo-based authenticity check
Estimated value range
Professional next steps for certification
Why This Penny Is Worth Over $500,000
Collectors pay a premium for these rare cents because:
It resulted from a major WWII minting mistake- Only a small number survived
- Each mint variety is extremely scarce
- High demand from advanced collectors
- Strong track record as a six-figure investment
The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent remains one of the most iconic and valuable error coins in American history — and one of the few true half-million-dollar pennies.
