united-states-1943-item-6

Historical Context

The 1943 Copper Lincoln Cent is one of the most famous and valuable error coins in U.S. numismatics. Due to copper shortages during World War II, the U.S. Mint switched the composition of the cent in 1943 from bronze to zinc-coated steel. A small number of bronze planchets from 1942 (or possibly 1944 planchets accidentally mixed in) were inadvertently struck with 1943 dies, creating these rare and highly sought-after error coins.