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![Image for Lincoln Cent 1c 1943, Steel, Wheat Reverse MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/348xxx/f1e7f889-1378-4130-8003-1f7e7f98ddcf.jpg?MaxHeight=640&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
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When the United States formally entered World War II, the nation began rationing key materials to help the military effort. To save copper for ammunition, the United States approved minting Lincoln cents from a zinc-plated steel composition. This new format was first used in 1943, with steel cents replacing the traditional bronze composition that had been used through 1942.
Steel cents are popular coins both from the standpoint of collecting and also in terms of their marketability to non-collectors, many of whom have never seen steel cents before and find them novel. Dealers, particularly the major distributors, often sell 1943 steel cents to non-collectors as a type of gateway coin to hook non-numismatists into collecting. More than 1 billion 1943 steel cents were made across all three mints that produced them, and the Philadelphia-minted specimens are common in grades through MS67. In MS68 they're extremely scarce.
Obverse Description
Bust of Abraham Lincoln framed by IN GOD WE TRUST on the top periphery. The word LIBERTY to the left of the portrait and the date and mintmark (If any) positioned on the right side.
Reverse Description
Wheat ears flanking the words ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on the top perimeter.
Book Reference
Designer: Victor D. Brenner. Weight: 2.70 grams. Composition: Steel, coated with zinc. Diameter: 19 mm. Edge: Plain. Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco.
Key to Collecting: To conserve copper for wartime munitions and products, in 1943 cents were made of zinc-coated steel. Production in quantity took place at all three mints. Although there were no particular problems with the production of such pieces, in 1944 copper was used once again. Circulated coins are common. They are usually rather blotchy and unattractive unless processed to become bright. (Tarnished circulated steel cents are sometimes processed to make them shiny again, for souvenir sets. However, cleaning and otherwise treating coins is not considered a good numismatic practice. MS examples with original luster are plentiful enough that you can easily find an inexpensive example for your type set.) Mint State coins are common through and including gem levels.
Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Usually very well struck, which seems unusual due to the hardness of the planchet!
Catalog Information
GSID:
376180
Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Obverse Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 1943
Reverse Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Reverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Weight (gr):
2.7 gr
Weight (oz):
0.095 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
1943
Variety 2:
Steel, Wheat Reverse
Coin Date:
Lincoln Cent
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Coinage Type:
Lincoln Cent
Coinage Years:
1943
Composition:
Zinc coated Steel
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1943-1c-lincoln-cent-zinc-type-coin/gsid/376180 GSID: 376180 Title: Lincoln Cent 1c 1943, Steel, Wheat Reverse MS [Type]
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Coin Value History
Lincoln Cent 1c 1943, Steel, Wheat Reverse MS [Type]
Value By Grade
Lincoln Cent 1c 1943, Steel, Wheat Reverse MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
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Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
GSID:376180
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Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS68 |
|
$3,750 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $1,600 | $1,234 |
| MS67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS BN [Type]
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Worth: $0 – $45
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RB [Type]
![Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RB [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/435xxx/69281083-4e89-4e1b-8add-20c192601463.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $0 – $55
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RD [Type]
![Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RD [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/360xxx/46668f31-a86b-430a-87d1-43ecb24d68e1.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $0 – $80
1909 VDB 1c MS BN
Worth: $2 – $450
1909 VDB 1c MS RB
Worth: $22 – $22,000
1909 VDB 1c MS RD
Worth: $40 – $50,000
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS BN
Worth: $10 – $330
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS RB
Worth: $130 – $750
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS RD
Worth: $175 – $10,000
1909-S VDB 1c MS BN
Worth: $500 – $25,000
1909-S VDB 1c MS RB
Worth: $1,850 – $35,000
1909-S VDB 1c MS RD
Worth: $2,000 – $150,000
1909 1c Lincoln MS BN
Worth: $0 – $960
1909 1c Lincoln MS RB
Worth: $25 – $1,440
1909 1c Lincoln MS RD
Worth: $40 – $3,000
1943-D/D 1C Repunch Mintmark FS-501 MS64 PCGS. (19). PCGS Population: 16 in 64, 21 finer (2/26). CDN: $385 Whsle. Bid for N...
$464
1943 1C MS67 PCGS. CDN: $125 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 684,628,670. ...
$109
1943-S 1C MS68 NGC. CDN: $2,400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS68. Mintage 191,550,000....
$2,196
Undated 1C Type Two Steel Cent Planchet MS62 PCGS. 2.62 grams....
$204
1943-S 1C Lincoln Cent -- Straight Clip -- MS63 ANACS. 2.72 grams....
$104
1943-D 1C MS66 PCGS. CDN: $61 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 217,660,000. ...
$79
No Date 1C Zinc-Coated Steel Cent -- Type II Planchet -- MS61 PCGS....
$104
1943 1C Lincoln Cent -- Struck on Silver Dime Planchet -- AU50 NGC. 2.5 Grams. While not as famous an off-metal striking as...
$3,360
1943-S 1C Lincoln Cent -- Struck on Silver Dime Planchet -- AU58 PCGS. Always an interesting year for error coins due to th...
$4,080
1943 1C -- Struck 10% Off Center, Corroded, Scratched -- ANACS Details. MS60. Mintage 684,628,670....
$104
1943 1C Lincoln Cent -- Late Stage Die Cap Strike -- XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: (26/16125 and 0/203+). Mintage 684,628,670...
$492
1943 1C Lincoln Cent -- Die Adjustment Strike -- NGC....
$552
1943-S 1C Lincoln Cent -- Uncentered Broadstrike -- MS65 PCGS....
$192
1943 1C Lincoln Cent -- Struck on Silver 10C Plan -- VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: (1/15337). NGC Census: (0/26408). CDN: $0....
$2,100
1943-S 1C Lincoln Cent -- Struck on Silver Dime Planchet -- AU55 PCGS. ...
$3,840
1943 1C Lincoln Cent -- Major Die Brake, Corroded -- ANACS. XF40 Details....
$74
1943 1C Lincoln Wheat Cent -- Struck on a Dime Planchet -- VF35 NGC. From The Allan H. Goldman Collection, Part I...
$1,980
1943-D 1C Lincoln Cent -- Broadstruck on an Australian Sixpence Planchet -- AU53 PCGS. ...
$4,560
1943 1C Lincoln Cent -- Major Die Break, Corroded -- ANACS. VF30 Details. From the Don Bonser Error Coin Collection Pa...
$43
1943 Lincoln Cent -- Struck on a Dime Planchet, Altered Surface -- NCS. VG Details. ...
$546
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