Expert: Dan Moore - 4/7/2008

Question
I am in possession of several old pennies. I would like to know if they are worth anything. Collection includes:
- Lincoln copper pennies form 1918, 1919, 1929 and 1930.
- steel Lincoln penny from 1943
I also have the can of hundreds pennies from years 1940 to 1947. What is the significance of copper 1943 penny and how to recognize that I have the rare one?

Thank you.

Answer
Magda,

1918, 1919, 1929 and 1930 are not rare dates -- worth about 5 cents each.

There were over a billion of the 1943 steel cents minted -- they are not rare either -- value 5 to 10 cents.

Your 1940 to 1947 pennies are worth about 2.5 cents each.

Since the normal 1943 penny was made from steel, finding one of the copper cents is extremely rare -- there are only a few dozen of them to be known to exist -- values at $50,000 and up.

The first test is to put a magnet to it.  If it sticks, then you have a copper plated steel cent.  The next test is to compare the shape and spacing of the date with a 1943 steel cent -- any differences would indicate an altered date.  Third, weigh it -- a copper cent will weigh 3.11 grams, steels cents weigh 2.7 grams.  If it passes all these tests, you need to have it looked at by a professional.

I hope this helps,

Dan