It was the middle of The War and they were running short of copper, that's why.
UPDATE: The 1943 Copper Penny Is Worth $40,000 Or More
From the US Mint:
40 1943 copper-alloy cents are known to remain in existence. Coin experts speculate that they were struck by accident when copper-alloy 1-cent blanks remained in the press hopper when production began on the new steel pennies.
A 1943 copper cent was first offered for sale in 1958, bringing more than $40,000. A subsequent piece sold for $10,000 at an ANA convention in 1981. The highest amount paid for a 1943 copper cent was $82,500 in 1996.
Because of its collector value, the 1943 copper cent has been counterfeited by coating steel cents with copper or by altering the dates of 1945, 1948, and 1949 pennies.
The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.
UPDATE: For the values of wheat pennies, please go to sammler.com, pcgs.com, or any one of the other coin sites on the internet.
I have a 1943 zinc coated penny and I was wondering if anyone could tell me its worth.
Or where in California could I get it appraised.
Thanks, hope to hear from you soon.
Don
Posted by: Don | 10/24/2004 at 10:07 PM
Can anyone give me a value of a 1943 zinc penny.
Thanks
Posted by: sheryl | 10/30/2004 at 06:01 AM
Can anyone give me a value of a 1943 zinc penny.
Thanks
Posted by: sheryl | 10/30/2004 at 06:02 AM
how much is a zinc coated steel penney worth?
Posted by: brett | 12/25/2004 at 03:01 PM
I have a 1943 Zinc-Coated Steel Penny, exactly like that one on the picture. But I'm not sure what to do with it...
Posted by: Melissa | 12/28/2004 at 04:40 PM
They aren't worth that much, just a few bucks. I'd save it "for the kids".
Posted by: Tom McMahon | 12/28/2004 at 04:44 PM
Not even. They're like, 50 cents on e-bay...
Posted by: Melissa | 12/28/2004 at 04:48 PM
that's still 50 times their original value ... not bad 100% annual investment....
Posted by: shelly | 01/14/2005 at 09:43 AM
I have a silly question..Is copper magnetic?
Posted by: Janet | 01/16/2005 at 11:46 AM
No. In grade school long ago I made an electro-magnet as a science fair project: Some wire, wrapped around a nail, attached through a switch to a dry cell battery. When turned on, it would pick up the 1943 pennies, but not any others.
Posted by: Tom McMahon | 01/16/2005 at 12:20 PM
i also have a 1943 zinc penny,was wondering what its value.now i know thanks, danny
Posted by: danny | 01/26/2005 at 07:17 PM
I would like to know the value of an 1943 stell penny and also a 1943 copper penny?
Posted by: Joshua | 03/02/2005 at 02:26 PM
steel 1943 pennies = cool but worth VERY little, buck or so, copper 1943 pennies = rare and worth alot more, if you have 1, get it appraised and certified by a professional and above all KEEP IT SAFE
Posted by: Frogz | 03/06/2005 at 06:20 AM
I have a 1943 Copper, yes copper, penny and wondering whatit is worth?
Posted by: Andrew | 03/17/2005 at 03:57 AM
i olso heva a penny 1943 black penny and 1907 penny i want yo know if its worth
Posted by: carlos | 03/21/2005 at 09:02 PM
Yall may not know this but the 1943 silver penny is actually worth $45,000. i took mine to an expert and the museum gave me an offer.
Posted by: bob | 03/21/2005 at 10:05 PM
I also have a 1943 silver penny, and I want to know who can I contact in case its worth something.
Posted by: LUIS | 03/31/2005 at 08:21 AM
I have a 1943 silver penny,I would like to know the value.
Posted by: Leon p.pearman | 04/03/2005 at 10:34 AM
i have a 1943 copper magnetic penny and i want to know if i can sell it 45,000 dollars and if its the one who is actually looking to purchase it.
Posted by: Elizabeth | 04/04/2005 at 10:46 AM
i have 2 silver magnetic 1943 pennies, but unlike the one you have pictured, mine do not have a letter under the year. i was wondering if mine were any differnt and how much they could be worth. one is not in such good condition, but the other looks just like the one in the picture.
Posted by: DJ | 04/05/2005 at 08:04 PM
Hi Mr. McMahan. I have 25 1 gallon jugs of pennies that my grandparents and my wifes grandparents left to us. I had never thought about any value untill I ran across your website on a yahoo search. Besides the 1943 copper pennie, Are thier others of high value that I need to look for. Also, could you direct me to one of the better books of old coins. A big thank you in advance if you have time to corosponde.
Tim D. (NC)
Posted by: Tim | 04/11/2005 at 09:08 PM
i have a value book and it says the penny in the picture with the same year is worth 62 dollars! i sold the 2 i had for 48
Posted by: Stephanie Locke | 04/21/2005 at 04:53 PM
i have a value book and it says the penny in the picture with the same year is worth 62 dollars! i sold the 2 i had for 48
Posted by: Stephanie Locke | 04/21/2005 at 04:54 PM
i have a value book and it says the penny in the picture with the same year is worth 62 dollars! i sold the 2 i had for 48
Posted by: Stephanie Locke | 04/21/2005 at 04:54 PM
I have a 1943 D steel penny, can anyone tell me what it is worth and where to take it?
Posted by: Steve | 04/23/2005 at 05:09 PM