Have you ever ever imagined that you are a millionaire? I’m sure we all at some point in our lives have dreamt of the concept of winning the lottery, coming into a significant amount of money from an affluent uncle, or maybe even chancing upon a big score from a crime that would have seemed a little bit more refined. But what if building wealth were as easy as finding just one millimetre? It is, for all practical purposes, not fiction; rather, it is a reality within the fascinating domain of rare coins.
Of the thousands of Lincoln penny 10-cent pieces that have passed through our hands, there stands out one specimen as an isolated member: the 1943-D bronze piece. When the copper price was destined to become prohibitive for the metal required in coinage production during the Second World War, the United States Mint decided to go from a zinc-coated steel penny in minting to a pure copper penny. And these and many other such facts do we get along the lines of the course of war. Amongst those coins there are some mistakenly struck: during the minting time most of these coins were stricken when they used leftovers bronze planchets used during 1942, not many knew about the fact. Yet, so here is one of a very little known stories from it. These stories gave a few some of their collections the greatest prices by sale; sold at millions in the world of numismatics.
Unique History of Bronze Lincoln Cent on
It was during World War II that the United States government made a very drastic decision in 1943. During that time, the urgent need to mobilize the usage of copper arose; therefore, they chose pennies to be made out of steel. This incident took place at such an important juncture. A minuscule number of the bronze planchets slated for 1942 pennies were mistakenly used accidentally in the striking of these coins. It is perhaps a one-off in U.S. coinage because it represents a coin not appropriately made in the year when it was made.
It is found a rare piece of 1943-D penny made in bronze material.
Fewer than twenty of these very rare bronze pennies exist in the world today. Their prices have shot up to unbelievable heights among collectors and investors because these pieces are very rare. In 2010, one specimen of a 1943-D bronze cent was sold for an unbelievable $1.7 million, which is the most important sale of its kind. Legend Numismatics sold it, and it made the coin extremely popular due to the high demand and worth it held.
Record-Breaking Sales
No sale was made. Another 1943 bronze Lincoln cent is sold at auction in January 2019, and the total price paid by Heritage Auctions, which is one of the largest auction houses for collectibles, is $204,000. The coin was found by Don Lutes Jr., a lifelong collector, when he was just a young boy in 1947.
The Personal Story of Don Lutes Jr.
The scarce bronze cent that he was looking for was discovered at the time when Don Lutes Jr. went to get his lunch at the cafeteria in his school. The coin was change from his lunch, and he instinctively knew he had something important; however, nobody knew that he actually held a real penny. It happened when the internet was not easy to access, and according to the United States Mint, there was nothing of 1943 that is coming out of their lines that has such a description to make it possible whether or not it’s true.
Despite these difficulties, Lutes was able to retain the penny for more than seven decades because he had a keen interest in numismatics and was greatly convinced that this coin was one of a kind. His coin was sold after his death in September of 2018, and all proceeds went to the Berkshire Athenaeum-the public library in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he spent his childhood.
What to Look for When Finding a Bronze Lincoln Cent from 1943
Finding a rare 1943-D bronze penny is like winning the lottery, but how would you know that you really do have one? This article intends to provide some insight on how to identify this treasure that might be lurking in your pocket change.
The magnet test is the easiest way to know if it is or isn’t a 1943 bronze penny. Magnetic and made of zinc-coated steel, most of the coins made in 1943 were zinc. When you stick your penny to a magnet, it reveals that it’s a steel penny and not the very rare bronze one.
A Comparison of Colour Differences
Looking at the color of their skin will further help differentiate the two. Similarity in color characterizes the older pennies in their copper color as is characteristic of the bronze pennies. The silvery look characterizes the zinc-coated steel pennies much more. The look itself gives an approximate suggestion on the material of composition a coin may have.
The Coin Weighing Process
By weighing the coin, you can get a much clearer identification. For example, a real bronze cent of 1943 weighs about 3.11 grammes whilst its steel version weighs approximately 2.7 grammes. This steel version is very light indeed. By weighing the coin, you can know whether the coin is rare or not.
Verification of Professional Competence
If your preliminary examination indicates you might own a 1943 bronze penny, have the coin authenticated. Because coins from this time were commonly counterfeited, having an expert verify the coin will not only alleviate your fears but also improve the value of the coin if it is legitimate.
When one is on the search for rare coins, an activity that can be very adventurous, the chance to also become lucky and pick some valuable penny from the road adds even more excitement into the day-to-day life that one is already having. If you pay attention to the unique coins which you collect as you continue with your daily activities, it is possible to earn big for your efforts.
Take a closer look at the change that you receive the next time you get it. You might never know if that penny that looks exactly like any other penny is the discovery of a lifetime. You may not find the 1943-D bronze cent, but you might just keep in your pocket change, for example, the San Francisco Mint’s high denomination 1914 Liberty nickel.
Scouting Items at Markets and Estate Sales
Garage sales are also like estate sales in many ways. You don’t know what the selling product will cost those who will be selling them; some rarest coins are sold at very low prices to you. You should approach a seller, begin to learn about it, and avoid showing unwillingness to ask when they have something for sale.
Collecting coins will be improved by joining an online forum or finding local coin clubs. Connecting to other collectors will give you that information, trade, and even direct sales of rare coins that can be encountered and harnessed for the means of the hobby.
Reality shows that a small coin may turn out to be a fortune-maker, though it sounds like a fantasy dream to find a penny that would make you a billionaire but won’t. For instance, only a few of the 1943-D bronze Lincoln cents are reported to be known to exist.
Your eyes should become sharper, but your mind should stay open. When you embark on any journey in numismatics, this is the approach you should take; whether it’s about discovering a rare coin and turning it into a new rare item or just discovering its first bronze penny, this is the approach you should take first. Discover the thrill of the hunt. Find a gem; then check your pockets and then in your change; perhaps someday, you will find your change and history in something that will change your life forever.
FAQs
What makes the 1943-D bronze Lincoln cent so valuable?
The 1943-D bronze Lincoln cent is valuable due to its extreme rarity; fewer than 20 are believed to exist. It was mistakenly minted using leftover bronze planchets when the U.S. Mint was producing steel pennies during World War II, making it a unique error coin highly sought after by collectors.
How can I tell if I have a 1943-D bronze penny?
You can identify a 1943-D bronze penny by conducting a magnet test (it won’t stick to a magnet), checking its color (it should have a copper hue), and weighing it (it should weigh approximately 3.11 grams). If you’re unsure, consider having it authenticated by a professional.
Where can I find a 1943-D bronze Lincoln cent?
While it’s rare to find one in circulation today, you can check through your pocket change, attend coin shows, visit local coin shops, or explore online auction sites. Networking with other collectors may also lead to potential sales.
What is the historical significance of the 1943-D bronze Lincoln cent?
The 1943-D bronze Lincoln cent symbolizes an error during wartime when copper was needed for the war effort. Its existence highlights the quirks of minting processes and has become a coveted piece of American numismatic history.
How much are 1943-D bronze Lincoln cents worth today?
The value of a 1943-D bronze Lincoln cent can vary significantly based on its condition. A well-preserved example can fetch prices upwards of $1 million, while others may sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the auction and the coin’s grading.