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1943 Copper Cents in the News

SullivanNumismaticsSullivanNumismatics Posts: 850 ✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Fox News just posted an article about the 1943 copper cents. Although there are a number of inaccuracies in the article, it's always good to see coins make the headlines!

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/04/26/rare-pennies-in-circulation-could-be-worth-85000.html

www.sullivannumismatics.com Dealer in Mint Error Coins.

Comments

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It seems like once a year the '43 copper cent(s) make the news for one reason or another... Either one found, or one sold for a lot of money... then coin shops will get calls for the next couple of weeks....Cheers, RickO

  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,932 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There will be some very important news
    coming out very soon about 1943 copper cents.

    I hinted about it just after the ANA Orlando show
    last month (about a month and a half ago).

    Watch for news releases about it.

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • SullivanNumismaticsSullivanNumismatics Posts: 850 ✭✭✭✭

    Fred, if it's what you hinted at, that is indeed exciting news.

    www.sullivannumismatics.com Dealer in Mint Error Coins.
  • sellitstoresellitstore Posts: 3,053 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Are they about to be declared illegal to own by the govt?

    That would be exciting for the owners.

    Collector and dealer in obsolete currency. Always buying all obsolete bank notes and scrip.
  • Bigbuck1975Bigbuck1975 Posts: 1,278 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @FredWeinberg said:
    There will be some very important news
    coming out very soon about 1943 copper cents.

    I hinted about it just after the ANA Orlando show
    last month (about a month and a half ago).

    Watch for news releases about it.

    Fred - I was following a bit of the news from John and it was pretty interesting!!

  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,963 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I had a coworker ask me about them earlier this week... now I know why!

    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 12,176 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fred,

    Can you post the news here after the news is publicly released in case I miss it?

    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • PRECIOUSMENTALPRECIOUSMENTAL Posts: 961 ✭✭✭✭

    'Bookmarked'.

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,654 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This explains all the calls to the shop in the past few days. I was wondering what hit the mainstream news regarding an "$85,000 penny ".

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,559 ✭✭✭✭✭

    GEE.......can I really get a car from Henry Ford if I find one????

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • BStrauss3BStrauss3 Posts: 3,753 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Tell you what @BuffaloIronTail - visit with Henry (https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=352) and ask him!

    -----Burton
    ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
    Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,932 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There happened to be, strictly by coincidence,
    national TV coverage on 1943 Copper Cents
    in the past 10 days or so.

    (and those value figures given out were substantially
    lower than what the coins are worth, imo)

    This has nothing to do with the 'news' I was hinting
    at - and, as I told CW, I won't release any news until
    the proper people come out with a news release.

    Sorry guys, but I feel it's not my place to talk about it
    at this particular time.

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • SteveSteve Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭

    This "secret story" within the hobby is very prevalent regarding many coin dealers and "people in the know". Why is that? We have "someone out there" who owns 53 certified 1909VDB Matte Proof Lincoln cents which constitute over 35% of the entire existing examples of that coin. Why does the coin media refuse to discuss this subject during the past two and a half years it has been public? And why must the people "in the know" keep quiet about a supposed announcement involving the 1943 "copper" Lincoln cents until the proper time to tell everyone. I guess that is how things work today in our society and in the coin industry. Steve :)

    My True View Album

    My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,932 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Steve, this has nothing to do with society or the coin industry.

    It has to do with what is the correct thing to do in this particular
    situation. My contact, communication, and knowledge of a
    coin situation does not, in my mind, automatically mean I have
    the right to tell something that I believe should not come from
    me, but from what I consider the proper/correct source.

    I'm sorry if you think I'm doing something wrong or incorrect
    in new disclosing information that, in my mind, should not be
    disclosed by me, until those people involved, the owner of the
    coin(s), and the grading service, choose to release it themselves.

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,907 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fred is being a responsible adult. Over the years I have been privy to various blockbuster reports that I did not blab about because they were not my stories to report. On the other side of the fence, I have developed stories that I later revealed, when the time was right, using consultations with fellow experts, such as Fred, who respected MY rights to the story. That is the way it works.
    TD

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,932 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I see a typo in my message above.

    The last paragraph should have said (2nd line in 3rd)

    ".....in NOT disclosing information" (I wrote 'in new disclosing')

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,654 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 28, 2017 9:11AM

    A roll of these (1943 copper cents) probably surfaced alongside that roll of 1912-D (or was it -S) Liberty Nickels.

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Either one found, or one sold for a lot of money... then coin shops will get calls for the next couple of weeks....Cheers, RickO

    precisely...........................we started getting the calls a few days ago and the people began arriving yesterday.

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,907 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I mentioned this on the dealer-to-dealer channel, and one guy responded that the calls have already started coming in.

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They can be purchased through Alibaba in any quantity and/or quality desired.

    They all have to pass the "barely detectable tin" test, too.

  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,932 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Again, the TV/online news about '43 Copper Cents
    has nothing to do with the situation I'm talking about.

    It's pure coincidence.

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,462 ✭✭✭✭✭

    i can wait till the news comes out.

  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,654 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 28, 2017 12:08PM

    Me too!

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • PTVETTERPTVETTER Posts: 6,030 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You can not believe the phone calls.
    Just to be blunt people are STUPID, just plane stupid.

    Pat Vetter,Mercury Dime registry set,1938 Proof set registry,Pat & BJ Coins:724-325-7211


  • bolivarshagnastybolivarshagnasty Posts: 7,353 ✭✭✭✭✭

    plain stupid? :)

  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,654 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bolivarshagnasty said:
    plain stupid? :)

    That may be part of the irony.

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,492 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I saw that article. Why I dug out my copper plated 1943 steel cent just to watch it stick to a magnet again, like flies on chit, will never cease to amaze me.

    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 10,329 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @leothelyon said:
    I saw that article. Why I dug out my copper plated 1943 steel cent just to watch it stick to a magnet again, like flies on chit, will never cease to amaze me.

    Leo

    I use a demagnetized magnet to test my copper plated one, won't stick that way. It helps me dream and think I have an authentic one and what I would do with all that dough. :)

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,654 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Found several silver 1974 D Lincoln Cents in a roll of steel wheat cents the other day. They weigh 3 grams +. Pretty sure someone dipped/coated them. They're not magnetic. They're not aluminum.

    My take ? More fodder for a plotter. Oh well. I was excited for a moment.

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Well.. that will be interesting. News regarding '43 copper cents.... they have always intrigued me and I have certainly searched my share of wheaties looking for one...(well, it could happen)...So I will wait for the news... Cheers, RickO

  • joeykoinsjoeykoins Posts: 17,680 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have a few rolls (Steelies) in my possession that I was just getting ready to sell. but now, since I read this thread, I'll be holding on to them. Thanks. Who knows what is about to occur with these? Can you imagine if they say some "Coppers" got out with the steel looking appearance? WoW! :o

    "Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!

    --- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.
  • WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,286 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 22, 2024 8:08PM

    The 1990 film "Ghost" features this coin:

    image

    The coin is a Lincoln copper cent dated 1943-S.

    In the film, Patrick Swayze, the ghost, levitates the coin to prove that he is present to his girlfriend Demi Moore and a medium Whoopi Goldberg.

    It appears that Patrick Swayze took it with him.

    :)

    https://www.brianrxm.com
    The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
    Coins in Movies
    Coins on Television
  • Bigbuck1975Bigbuck1975 Posts: 1,278 ✭✭✭✭✭

    And here it is:

    https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/5949/1942-1943-Lincoln-cents-mint-errors/

  • PRECIOUSMENTALPRECIOUSMENTAL Posts: 961 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 3, 2017 10:39AM

    Bigbuck, Just read that on John Ziemans Face Book page!!
    https://ngccoin.com/news/article/5949/1942-1943-Lincoln-cents-mint-errors/

  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 3, 2017 10:53AM

    The Wife last night: "Do 'we' have any of those 1943 pennies?"
    Me: "Yeah. 'We' have several......"
    Wife: (excited) "Really!!!"
    Me: "Wait, wait, wait....don't buy anything yet....this will require some explanation....."

    :)

    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • PRECIOUSMENTALPRECIOUSMENTAL Posts: 961 ✭✭✭✭

  • Wolf359Wolf359 Posts: 7,665 ✭✭✭

    So a former Mint employee can have these coins...but the Langbords cannot?

    Multi-channel listings of coins and inventory management

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  • djmdjm Posts: 1,565 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Wolf359 said:
    So a former Mint employee can have these coins...but the Langbords cannot?

    They can't all of the 1943 Copper Cents should be confiscated as stolen government property. Just like the 1974-D Cent.

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 9,249 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @joeykoins said:
    I have a few rolls (Steelies) in my possession that I was just getting ready to sell. but now, since I read this thread, I'll be holding on to them. Thanks. Who knows what is about to occur with these? Can you imagine if they say some "Coppers" got out with the steel looking appearance? WoW! :o

    Hmm...
    Zinc plated copper 1943 cents maybe ?

    Moonlight Mint
  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @djm said:

    @Wolf359 said:
    So a former Mint employee can have these coins...but the Langbords cannot?

    They can't all of the 1943 Copper Cents should be confiscated as stolen government property. Just like the 1974-D Cent.

    Not sure why people always want to apply the (apparent) rules for ONE coin to all other coins.

    Every "controversial" coin has its own history, and each has been treated differently.

    For instance, ERROR coins are pretty much ignored by the government because in MOST cases, they were obviously released by the mint, even though they may not have wanted to release them. Even the "that's impossible...there had to be help" coins are pretty much ignored. 1913 Liberty Nickels, "struck on nails", overstruck oddities, etc.
    (Granted, the recent bronze 1943's coming from a "former mint employee" probably gives one pause. But unless they can be proven to be "stolen property", I'm kind of guessing it's too much work to pursue).

    Patterns have been accepted as public pieces since the day they were sold or traded by the Mint. Having been involved in the initial transaction, and having ignored them for numerous transactions since, means the Mint really has no reason/authority to attempt to retrieve them NOW.

    As I see it, the one category that is up in the air is the "non-released" coins. Uncle Sam obviously, rightly or wrongly, established a precedent with the 1933 Double Eagles, going back to the 40's....and they've given every indication they intend to pursue the 1964 Peace, and 1974 Aluminum cents whenever they pop up. But those are the only ones I'd be nervous about at this point.

    I think the one key thing to keep in mind: Once a coin has been "ignored" once, it's REALLY hard to make a legal claim later that they need to be reclaimed. That's probably why you see no flexibility from the government on the 1964 Peace, and 1974 aluminum, and 1933 DE: As long as they are consistent in their opposition to private ownership, they MIGHT be able to make a legal case.

    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,559 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If any coin "Legally" got out of the Mint.............fine. Let everyone have at them. LEGALLY is the key.
    We don't know the back story about Mr. Pratt.

    Look at the stuff Sinnock had.

    Very gray area indeed................

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • djmdjm Posts: 1,565 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If this had not been a Mint Employee with several off metal errors. You could make the case as has previously been made that the blanks were left in the machine when the dies were changed in 1943. The fact that a mint employee had them leads one to believe that this was a rogue minting by an employee.

    I would also begin to question the 1933 DE, If they were all accounted for as reported in the audit. Maybe the were also produced after the fact by the same rogue employee.

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,559 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Albert Michael Pratt (Prednovek) was a die setter at the Philadelphia Mint. He was also skilled in machine tooling.
    This info comes from his enlistment records and his 1945 marriage.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • AnalystAnalyst Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭

    Steve: We have "someone out there" who owns 53 certified 1909VDB Matte Proof Lincoln cents which constitute over 35% of the entire existing examples of that coin. Why does the coin media refuse to discuss this subject during the past two and a half years it has been public

    It it fair to say that writers in "the coin media" have "refuse[d]" to discuss this subject?

    Other than QDB, no living numismatist in "the coin media" has written more about rarities than I have. Furthermore, no one has mentioned to me that one person owns "53 certified 1909-VDB Matte Proof Lincoln cents"! In all seriousness, my first thought is that buying 53 of these may be a counter-productive and strange activity. My second thought is that a telemarketing firm, or such a firm's supplier, may be stocking up for a promotion in the future. In any event, why does Steve think that this hoard, if it exists, is such a major story? Who made this hoard "public ... two and half years" ago?

    Insightful10@gmail.com

    "In order to understand the scarce coins that you own or see, you must learn about coins that you cannot afford." -Me
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,240 ✭✭✭✭✭

    See the thread in the Set Registry forum

    Early Dollar Set
  • dbldie55dbldie55 Posts: 7,744 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Wolf359 said:
    So a former Mint employee can have these coins...but the Langbords cannot?

    The Langbords can own a 1943 Copper cent. Trying to compare these to Double Eagles is an apples to oranges comparison.

    Collector and Researcher of Liberty Head Nickels. ANA LM-6053
  • 2ltdjorn2ltdjorn Posts: 2,329 ✭✭✭✭

    @tradedollarnut said:
    See the thread in the Set Registry forum

    link?

    WTB... errors, New Orleans gold, and circulated 20th key date coins!

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