1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent : In a story that sounds more like the plot of a movie than real life, a woman sorting through a box of her late grandmother’s keepsakes stumbled upon an unassuming object—an old love letter with a penny taped to the back. That penny, it turns out, wasn’t just sentimental. It was a 1943 bronze Lincoln cent, one of the rarest coins in American history.
And it would soon change her life forever.
A Family Mystery Hidden in Plain Sight
Jessica M., a 32-year-old teacher from Pennsylvania, had no idea her weekend of helping her parents clean out the attic would lead to a financial windfall. Among the faded photographs, pressed flowers, and handwritten letters dating back to the 1940s, she noticed a note with the words “For luck, always” written in pencil. Taped to the back was a darkened Lincoln penny.
“I almost threw it away,” Jessica recalled. “It just looked old and dirty. But something about the way it was saved—like it meant something—made me want to keep it.”
That decision changed everything.
A Coin Collector’s Dream
Out of curiosity, Jessica searched online for “1943 penny worth money.” What she discovered stunned her: during World War II, the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies out of copper and switched to steel to conserve resources. But a few bronze blanks from 1942 accidentally made it into the 1943 production line, resulting in some of the rarest error coins ever struck.
Jessica’s coin matched the description. Not wanting to get her hopes up, she brought it to a local coin dealer for a professional opinion.
Authentication and Appraisal
The dealer’s hands reportedly trembled as he examined the penny. After verifying it was not magnetic (a key sign it wasn’t the common 1943 steel version) and measuring its weight (approximately 3.11 grams, indicating bronze), he recommended immediate authentication by PCGS, one of the top coin grading services.
Weeks later, the results were in: Jessica’s coin was an authentic 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent, minted in Philadelphia and graded MS62 Brown—a highly collectible and extremely rare specimen.
Life-Changing Value
Just how rare is a 1943 bronze Lincoln cent?
- Only 10–15 examples are known to exist from the Philadelphia Mint.
- The most famous example, a 1943-D Bronze Cent, once sold for over $3.2 million.
- Even circulated versions can sell for $250,000 to $1.5 million or more.
Jessica’s penny was ultimately sold through a private auction for just under $1.8 million.
“I never imagined that something taped to a love letter could be worth more than my house,” she said. “It’s completely surreal.”
A Coin and a Story Worth Preserving
Experts believe the coin may have been taped to the letter as a keepsake during WWII—a token of luck from a soldier heading overseas or a sweetheart preserving a memento of their bond. Though the details of the letter’s writer remain a mystery, the emotional and monetary value of the find is undeniable.
Jessica has since used the funds to pay off student loans, help her parents retire early, and start a scholarship fund in her grandmother’s name.
Could You Have One Too?
The story serves as a powerful reminder that valuable treasures could be hiding in plain sight. Here’s what to look for if you think you might have a rare 1943 bronze cent:
- Check the date: It must say “1943.”
- Use a magnet: Steel cents stick; bronze doesn’t.
- Weigh it: Bronze cents weigh about 3.11 grams. Steel ones weigh about 2.7 grams.
- Look for color: Bronze coins have a reddish or brownish tone, unlike silver-colored steel cents.
- Have it authenticated: PCGS or NGC are trusted graders.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just Pocket Change
From a dusty attic to a million-dollar auction, the discovery of a 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent taped to a love letter is a story of sentiment, serendipity, and life-changing fortune. It reminds us that history lives in the smallest of objects—and that sometimes, a single penny can rewrite your future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs..)
Q1: Why is the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent so valuable?
A: In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to steel for pennies to save copper for World War II. However, a small number of bronze planchets (leftover copper blanks from 1942) were mistakenly struck in 1943. These error coins are extremely rare, with fewer than 20 known examples, making them highly valuable—some worth over $1 million.
Q2: How can I tell if I have a real 1943 bronze penny?
Look for:
- A 1943 date on the coin
- Brown or reddish color (not silver like steel cents)
- It doesn’t stick to a magnet
- It weighs ~3.11 grams (steel cents weigh ~2.7 grams)
If your penny checks these boxes, get it authenticated and graded immediately.
Q3: Where should I take a coin I think might be a 1943 bronze cent?
A: Bring it to a trusted coin dealer or submit it directly to a third-party grading service like:
- PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)
- NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company)
These companies will confirm authenticity and assign a grade that affects value.
So check those old jars, boxes, and letters. The next great discovery could be waiting for you.
Want a printable guide to spotting valuable Wheat Pennies? Just ask, and I’ll send it your way!