Whitman Expo
1943 Steel, Doubled Die Obverse One Cent MS FS-801 Values
Details
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: 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: Wheat ears flanking the words ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on the top perimeter.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
684,628,670
Coinage Type:
Lincoln Cent
Coinage Years:
1943
Composition:
Zinc coated Steel
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Steel, Doubled Die Obverse
Variety 2:
FS-801
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
2.7 gr
Weight:
0.095 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 1943
Obverse Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Reverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Reverse Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
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