Expert: PAPAJACK - 6/24/2008

Question
i have 1943 silver pennies  why are they silver and are they worth anything

Answer
Hello Stew,                       

Thank You for selecting me for your Question.
The 1943 Lincoln Cents were made of 'ZINC COATED STEEL' released only in 1943. And yes there is some value on them.

Owing to a shortage of copper during the War, the Treasury Department used steel for the Cent. No bronze coins were officially made that year, although some exist, and through a similar error some steel cents from 1944 do exist.

All three Mints made the coins.
Philadelphia produced 684,628,670 of them.
Denver Mint produced 217,660,000 of them.
San Francisco produced 191,550,000 of them.

It is very likely there are many rolls of them left. Or even to collect a 50 to 100 of them would have been easy in the 1960's to 1970's. I don't see too much in circulation any more. A lot of them rot away if exposed to the elements.

Their value ranges from .20 cents for lower grade specimens to about $3.00 in brilliant un-circulated condition to collectors.

Hope I answered your entire question. Feel free to ask me others about US Coins. Or if there any more information you require on this question just ask.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack