The 1943 Steel Cent was minted for a one year period during World War II due to a severe copper shortage. Copper was being used for munitions and the government, trying to limit their use of copper, tried several different materials to replace the alloy in the penny. A zinc coated steel was finally decided upon after trying out several different metals and plastics.
Problems quickly arose as people began to mistake the now silver colored coin for a dime. Also, as the only magnetic coin ever produced, it caused major problems in vending machines. The coins also rusted very quickly. Public outcry ensued and the government quickly began recycling used ammunition shell casings for pennies.
The coin features the classic Lincoln design on the obverse. The reverse features ONE CENT over top of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in the middle with E PLURIBUS UNUM across the top and two wheat stalks along the bottom.
There are many errors and rarities from this series, most involving errors in switching over from the copper dies. One rare steel cent sold in 2004 for $200,000.
 1943 S LINCOLN STEEL CENT NGC MS66  US $13.00
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 1943 P STEEL WHEAT CENTUS COINSNPCLNS US $.19
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 1943 STEEL LINCOLN HEAD WHEAT PENNY CENT NICE LK US $.98
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 1943 D Lincoln Steel Wheat Cent Choice BU US $6.50
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 1943 D STEEL LINCOLN WHEAT CENT 11993 US $2.00
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 1943 BU STEEL ZINC LINCOLN WHEAT CENT US $.99
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 1943 S Steel Cent BU Lincoln Cent US $.99
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 LISTED Doubled die VARIETY 1943 STEEL Lincoln CENT US $19.99
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 1943 D PCGS MS66 STEEL LINCOLN CENT WHEAT TYPE US $32.00
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 1958 Lincoln Wheat Cent LOOKS LIKE 1943 STEEL RARE US $.99
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 1941 Lincoln Wheat Cent LOOKS LIKE 1943 STEEL RARE US $.99
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 1943 P D S ORIGINAL GEM BU 3 COIN STEEL CENT SET 8 US $16.99
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 1943 P D S ORIGINAL GEM BU 3 COIN STEEL CENT SET10 US $17.99
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 1943 P D S ORIGINAL GEM BU 3 COIN STEEL CENT SET 7 US $17.99
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 Steel Cent Penny 1943 WW II Wheat US $.50
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 1943 Lincoln Wheat 1C MS 65 NGC Graded Steel Cent US $9.95
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 SHARP BU 1943 S LINCOLN STEEL CENT PENNY FWL US COIN US $.99
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 1943 Lincoln Cent Steel – BU US $.99
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 1943 STEEL PENNY CENT LOTS LISTED AU BU UNCIRCULATED US $.99
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 1943 S HIGH GRADE Lincoln Wheat Cent Roll Steel Coins US $14.50
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