1943 Copper penny?

AlwaysSearching · February 17, 2003 12:23PM

Has anyone ever seen one of these coins? Some guy in northern Idaho reported having lost one a few years back, but its a questionable story. Since there were only a handful that were supposedly made you think it would be put in a little bit safer place. I'm in Boise, which isn't that far from where he 'lost' the coin so I keep looking for it come my way. I expect to win the lottery next week as well!

What would be the market value for such a coin?

littlewicher · February 17, 2003 12:24PM

OMG, I thought I almost threw up my supper!
If that coin is genuine, it is worth a fortune!!

rd5425 · February 17, 2003 12:26PM

Sorry to burst your bubble but after awhile they found out that the guy was actually lying and he never had a 1943 copper penny.

coppercoins · February 17, 2003 12:27PM

First of all, the story reported by Paul Harvey about the guy in Idaho was fabricated. It didn't really happen, and Mr. Harvey didn't bother checking his sources.

Second thing, that cent you posted a scan of is an altered 1948 cent. The 3 digit on true 1943 cents looks nothing like that 3.

As for the 1943 copper cents ever surfacing now - your chances are much better being struck by lightning half a dozen times in succession on a bright sunny day in the middle of the desert. It's simply not going to happen.

Russ · February 17, 2003 12:32PM

I have a 1943 copper penny. Unlike that one, though, it was created the traditional way; electroplate.

Russ, NCNE

AlwaysSearching · February 17, 2003 12:36PM

Yes, I realize that the 3 should have been like the steel type. I faked the picture, but it was not intended as any kind of scam. I was just curious to hear some feedback about the Idaho story and to know if anyone had actually seen a real one.
Thanks for your input.....Opps, gotta go. The Publisher's Clearing House van just drove up in my driveway.....

tradedollarnut · February 17, 2003 1:26PM

check out the upcoming auction:

Goldbergs

There are two copper cents and a few zinc 1944's.

Flash · February 17, 2003 1:50PM

It's possible that somebody could have lost a 1943 copper cent. After all, a former forum member once lost an 1804 dollar when it fell out of his pocket at a construction site. Anything is possible!

Gerry · February 17, 2003 1:59PM

I just found one - click this

richbeat · February 17, 2003 2:33PM

Even the mint's website doesn't show a genuine 1943 copper cent. Theirs is a doctored photo also. The date numerals aren't right, and the lettering is from a recent cent after the obverse was modified in 1969. I don't think Jim's scan is an altered 1948 cent either. The style of the 3 looks like it was taken from one of the cents from the 1930's (except 1934.)

AlwaysSearching · February 17, 2003 3:55PM

You are absolutely correct. It was actually from a poor example of a 1933. I made up the '4' myself from other parts of the coin, but after these comments I realize that it would have been much easier to edit a 1948. The picture wasn't meant to startle anyone to the point of choking on their chow,... it was just a pun I used to help ask a question. It should have been evident that the 3 wasn't right and that is why I did not make it look too real.
It makes me realize how easy it is to fool some of the people some of the time, like a lot of the e-bay scammers do.
You guys and gals are really on top of things and it is always a pleasure to learn from the pro's.

Thanks again!

flaminio · February 18, 2003 12:09AM

Here's a real one from the Goldberg auction:

Make sure to also get the 1944 Steel Cent:

Woodwind · February 18, 2003 12:46AM

I remember when the original story out of Idaho broke out. If I remember correctly it was reported that the 1943 copper cent could be worth about $500,000, but the most one had sold for up to that point was about $85,000.00. Not very responsible reporting.

AlwaysSearching, keep an eye on this auction link provided above to answer your question on the market value.

BillJones · February 18, 2003 3:02AM

The one in the post that started this thread is no good. The "3" should hang below the other digits in the date as it does on the coins just above this post. The '43 coppers were made from the same set of dies.

BTW I think these coins are worth a few thousand, but certainly not what I would all a fortune.

clackamas · February 18, 2003 3:49AM

The Zinc, I believe was applied after the coin was struck so a copper penny that was UNC, may not be readily ascertainable by just a glance. Am I wrong?

Conder101 · February 19, 2003 9:49PM

Your wrong. For the steel cents the strip was zinc plated before the planchets were punched out of it.

1943 Copper penny?

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