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1943 bronze/copper penny value guide -- how many are known to exist, why they exist, and real auction-range values for this rare error.
Roughly 17 genuine examples are known across all three mints combined (10 Philadelphia, 5 San Francisco, 1 Denver) per CoinWeek; USA Coin Book separately confirms only 1 known 1943-D example.
Caused when a few leftover bronze planchets from 1942 were fed into the 1943 steel-cent presses.
Heavily counterfeited -- copper-plated steel cents and altered dates are common fakes. Authentication by a grading service is essential before treating any example as genuine.
Live listings matching the 1943 Bronze/copper error Lincoln Wheat Penny
Other dates and varieties in this series
Condition drives price more than any other factor on a coin like this — two examples of the same date can be worth very different amounts depending on wear and authentication.
The value table above is organized by grade for a reason — a coin's condition, not just its date, sets where it lands on that range. If you're not sure how to grade, a seller's photos and description should call it out.
This variety is heavily counterfeited. Look for a PCGS or NGC slab in the listing photos before treating any example as genuine — the value gap between a real one and a convincing fake is enormous.
Prices vary between individual sellers here, not one retailer's price list. Sort by price, check the seller's Metal Points and order history, and message the seller if photos don't show enough detail to grade confidently.
About the 1943 Bronze/copper error Lincoln Wheat Penny
This is a rare mint error, not a common date — genuine examples typically sell in the ranges shown above, verified by a grading service. Most coins that look similar are not this error; authentication matters more than the date alone.
Roughly 17 genuine examples are known across all three mints combined (10 Philadelphia, 5 San Francisco, 1 Denver) per CoinWeek; USA Coin Book separately confirms only 1 known 1943-D example.
Yes — this variety is heavily counterfeited. Authentication from a major grading service (PCGS or NGC) is essential before treating any example as genuine, and before selling or buying at these price levels.
List it free on PeerMetals — flat 2.75% seller fee, zero listing fees, 1–3 day payouts.
