The $1.7 Million Penny: Why the 1943 Copper Lincoln Cent Is King

In the world of numismatics, one mistake created a legend. During World War II, copper was strategic—needed for shell casings and wiring. The U.S. Mint switched 1943 cents to zinc-coated steel. But a handful of copper planchets (blanks) from 1942 accidentally fed into the presses at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

Result: roughly 20-40 genuine 1943 copper cents exist across all three mints. They're the "Holy Grail" for Lincoln cent collectors.

Record Sales

• 2010: A PCGS MS-63 Red Brown example sold for $1.7 million
• 2019: A Denver-mint specimen (MS-64 BN) fetched $840,000
• 2021: A San Francisco coin (MS-63 BN) brought $504,000

Authentication Is Critical

Counterfeits abound—steel cents copper-plated, or 1948 cents with the "8" altered to "3." Only buy coins certified by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS. Key diagnostics: weight (3.11g vs. 2.7g for steel), non-magnetic, correct die markers for the mint.

Other Valuable Pennies

1909-S VDB ($700-$2,500+), 1914-D ($150-$5,000+), 1922 Plain (no D, $500-$25,000+), 1955 Doubled Die ($1,000-$50,000+). But the 1943 copper stands alone at the summit.