The 1943 Wheat Penny is a true novelty that also serves as a unique WWII memento. During the Second World War, US military demand for copper was high. As such, the US Mint altered its standard 95% copper cent and instead produced it in steel with a zinc coating. Today, 1943-S Lincoln Steel Cent Wheat Pennies in certified condition are available to you online from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
- Delivered in a PCGS protective plastic slab!
- Historic steel Wheat Penny!
- Limited availability of certified coins!
- Coin consists of steel with a zinc coating.
- The face value of $.01 is fully backed by the United States.
- Graded Mint State 67 by the Professional Coin Grading Service.
- A portrait of Abraham Lincoln is found on the obverse.
- Two ears of wheat surround the denomination in the reverse design.
- Bear San Francisco mintmark.
The US Mint tested several metal types before settling on steel for their 1943 Wheat Pennies. The result was a penny that was both magnetic and 13% lighter than the standard copper cent. The coin also had a distinctive steel appearance, which led to nicknames like steelie, steel war penny, and wartime cent. While the 1943 steel cents can carry high premiums, they pale in comparison to the 40 1943 copper pennies struck by mistake that same year. Today, only 13 remain, with some carrying a price tag well over a million dollars.
All 1943-S Lincoln Cent Wheat Pennies in this online JM Bullion listing were originally struck at the San Francisco Mint. There will be a mintmark on the obverse field confirming this. These coins were later sent to the Professional Grading Service for certification. They will arrive to you in their original PCGS protective slabs. Within the slab, there is a label bearing the official grading information.
On the obverse of the 1943-S Steel Cent Wheat Penny, there is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. This marks the first time that a real-life person was used for the portrait on an American coin. In the design, we see Lincoln from the shoulder up in right-profile relief. This portrait has been used on all US One-Cent pieces since 1909.
The reverse side of 1943-S Lincoln Steel Wheat Pennies contains two stalks of wheat. The ears of wheat are shown on opposite ends of the field, and between them there are inscriptions reading One Cent, United States of America. An additional inscription across the upper edge of the design reads E Pluribus Unum.
Please contact JM Bullion with your questions. Our team members are available at 800-276-6508, online using our live chat, and via our email address.