1943 plated 1 cent

Jordan2238

Hi,
You guys gave good advice on my 1910 plated 1 cent and I

would like your input on this.
1943 plated 1 cent, has a copper look to it and is magnetic. I've just never seen one like this.

Shane6596

If its magnetic, its a common steel wheat. As for the color, if it looks copperish in hand, it was probably a science experiment at one point where they plate onto it, or its just environmental damage that changed the color.

Good for penny collection, no real value.

Glen2022

I seem to recall that many years ago it was not uncommon to find copper plated steel cents. Someone was apparently doing this and trying to pass them off for big bucks.

lcutler

1943 cents are commonly plated to give the appearance of the rare 1943 copper. Pretty much just a novelty type thing as it is so easy to tell them from the real thing with a magnet.

thebeav

I've had at least 100 of these in the last 40 years.
Sometimes it's a real quality job.........Usually they only bear a minor resemblance to a genuine copper/zinc cent.

Jordan2238

Thanks for the comments, it's quite a novelty here in the UK.

coinbuf

There is a Chinese supplier where you can order as many of these as you want.

davewesen

@coinbuf said:
There is a Chinese supplier where you can order as many of these as you want.

and probably not magnetic

BuffaloIronTail

@lcutler said:
1943 cents are commonly plated to give the appearance of the rare 1943 copper. Pretty much just a novelty type thing as it is so easy to tell them from the real thing with a magnet.

People plated thousands of them back in the day.

Pete

telephoto1

One of the biggest purveyors of the copper plated 43s in my area was a place called Kay Bee Toy and Hobby. They were located in a local mall (late 70s-early/mid 80s) and they had a display case with some (mostly junk) coins therein. These were sold for 75c each as novelties and must have been very popular, as we still see them on occasion even today.

ricko

@Jordan2238.... Welcome aboard... Yes, copper plating steel cents has been going on for many years. Sometimes as a joke, sometimes as a scam. Magnet will reveal the issue. Cheers, RickO

Mr_Spud

I plated one when I was about 9 years old after my brother bought me a science kit for Christmas. I remember it came out well except the paperclip I used to hold the coin in the electroplating solution left an unplated mark in the shape of the paperclip.