Expert: Neil S Berman - 4/10/2004

Question
I HAVE A PENNY IN VF CONDITION. STEEL I THINK BUT NO RUST. L IS PARTIALLY CUT OFF IN LIBERTY. CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING?

                      THANKS MUCH,  ANN

Answer
Dear Ann. As you apparently already know, all but a couple of 1943D Cents are made of steel. Unless you have the better variety, that is the one with a doubled D, D over D, the coin you have has little or no value, but great historic interest to all Americans. In 1943 the United States was deep into World War II, on three fronts (North Africa and Southern Italy, the Pacific, and in England, where we were preparing for the invasion of France. Copper and Nickle were in short supply. All that was available was used for shell casings, so the US Mint turned to steel for the Cent and Silver for the Nickle. The conclusion of the war was still very much in doubt, in fact not until very late 1944 and early 1945 was the outcome a certain victory for US and its Allies. The 1943 cent could have easily become one of the last coins made by the mint had we lost the war. Nine Million American soldiers were in Service and 550,000 of them died to keep our country free, and keep your Cent just one in a long line of Cents. Regards. NSB.