Price Guide for 1943 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $32,200.00 – $336,000.00Uncirculated: $60,375.00 – $372,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $12.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $215,000.00 – $360,000.00Uncirculated: $385,000.00 – $435,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00 – $218,500.00Uncirculated: $3.00 – $33,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.99 – $412.98Uncirculated: $0.99 – $3,584.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $8.00Uncirculated: $11.00 – $35,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $212,750.00 – $840,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,050,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11.00 – $138,000.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $115,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.75 – $107.50Uncirculated: $0.99 – $15,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $8.00Uncirculated: $11.00 – $35,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00 – $4,888.00Uncirculated: $7.00 – $6,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.25 – $405.77Uncirculated: $3.25 – $14,249.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $8.00Uncirculated: $11.00 – $15,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $141,000.00 – $282,000.00Uncirculated: $504,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $17.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $145,000.00 – $350,000.00Uncirculated: $1,000,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $90.20 – $700.00Uncirculated: $15.00 – $21,275.00
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eBayCirculated: $28.85Uncirculated: $223.00 – $16,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $55.00 – $350.00Uncirculated: $425.00 – $19,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $185.00Uncirculated: $158.63 – $14,100.00
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eBayCirculated: $525.00Uncirculated: $152.50 – $650.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $70.00 – $375.00Uncirculated: $450.00 – $8,350.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,840.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $400.00 – $1,292.50
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eBayUncirculated: $453.23 – $674.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $375.00 – $1,300.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $305.50 – $2,115.00
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eBayCirculated: $37.52 – $84.59Uncirculated: $511.00 – $2,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $10.00 – $120.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $1,675.00
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eBayUncirculated: $26.03 – $117.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $180.00 – $204.00
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eBayUncirculated: $65.00 – $117.50
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $39.00Uncirculated: $365.00 – $5,760.00
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eBayCirculated: $101.17Uncirculated: $0.99 – $10,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $8.00 – $90.00Uncirculated: $110.00 – $2,150.00
Design and Specifications of the 1943 Cent
The 1943 Lincoln Cent is one of the most unique and historically significant coins in American numismatics. Due to copper shortages during World War II, the U.S. Mint produced cents using zinc-coated steel instead of the usual bronze composition. This change resulted in a distinct silver-colored appearance, earning these coins the nickname ‘steel cents’ or ‘steelies’. The 1943 cent serves as a tangible reminder of the sacrifices and adaptations made on the home front during wartime.
| Weight | 2.70 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | Zinc-coated steel |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears design, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1943 Steel Cents significantly impacts their value. Due to their zinc-coated steel composition, these coins were prone to rapid oxidation and rusting, especially when exposed to moisture. As a result, well-preserved specimens with minimal corrosion and strong details are highly sought after by collectors.
Uncirculated examples with full mint luster and no signs of wear are particularly valuable. Coins graded MS65 or higher can command substantial premiums due to their scarcity in such high grades. The strike quality is also important, with sharply struck coins being more desirable.
Mintage: 684,628,670
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in high grades (MS65 and above) due to rapid oxidation
Varieties Errors: Copper cents (extremely rare)
Market Demand: High, due to historical significance and unique composition
Mintage: 217,660,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in high grades (MS65 and above) due to rapid oxidation
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to historical significance and unique composition
Mintage: 191,550,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in high grades (MS65 and above) due to rapid oxidation
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to historical significance and unique composition
The 1943 Copper Cent is an extremely rare and valuable error coin. A few bronze planchets from 1942 were accidentally left in the presses and struck with 1943 dies, creating copper cents instead of the intended steel ones. These coins are among the most valuable Lincoln cents, with genuine examples selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Toning can also affect the value of 1943 Steel Cents. While many have a dull gray appearance due to oxidation, some have developed attractive toning over time, which can enhance their appeal to collectors.
Lastly, the historical significance of these coins as wartime issues adds to their overall collectibility and value, making them popular even in lower grades.
