What is a 1943 silver-colored Penny?

The 1943 silver-colored penny is a wartime coin issue made of steel and coated with zinc. During World War II, the war effort required a lot of copper to make shell casings and munitions. In 1943 U.S. Mint produced the penny out of zinc plated steel to save copper for the war effort, so most 1943 pennies are silver colored.

Are 1943 steel pennies rare?

While 1943 steel Pennies are about as common as any other 1940s Lincoln cent, there is one variety from 1943 that stands out for its rarity: the 1943 bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny. Approximately 30 to 40 1943 Pennies were inadvertently struck on 1942 bronze coin Planchets.

How much does a 1943 Steel Penny weigh?

The steel content means it’s the only magnetic US coin. And it’s also 13 per cent lighter than copper cents. It weighs 2.7 grams, compared to the 3.11 grams of the cents issued the previous year. This YouTube video from VIP Art Fair Collectibles looks in detail at the history and features of the 1943 steel penny.