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.
 Steel Cent Penny 1943 WW II Wheat  US $1.00
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 AU BU 1943 STEEL 1899 INDIAN PENNY IN WHEAT CENT ROLL US $20.57
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 1943 Steel Cent DDO Breen Variety Error US $1.99
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 1943 Steel Cent Lincoln Wheat Penny US $.99
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 1943 P ICG MS65 SLABBED UNC STEEL WHEAT PENNY CENT US $2.44
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 1943 D ICG MS63 SLABBED UNC STEEL WHEAT PENNY CENT US $2.44
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 1943 d Roll Lincoln Steel Wheat Cent Pennies nice US $12.09
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 1943 s Roll Lincoln Steel Wheat Cent Pennies nice US $9.99
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 1943 Roll Lincoln Steel Wheat Cent Pennies nice US $2.25
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 1943 Lincoln Wheat PENNY ONE CENT 1 US COIN STEEL WW II US $1.49
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 1943 S Lincoln Cent wheat uncirculated or AU steel US $7.50
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 1943 PDS Circulated Steel Wheat Cent Roll US $2.99
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 1943 D STEEL WHEAT CENT Brilliant uncirculated W pics US $.75
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 1943 P STEEL CENT US $1.25
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 1943 D STEEL CENT US $1.85
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 1943 S STEEL WHEAT LINCOLN CENT GRADED MS 67 BY ICG US $85.00
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 Roll of 1943 Steel Cent Pennies Some with mintmarks US $9.51
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 1943 S ICG MS63 SLABBED UNC STEEL WHEAT PENNY CENT US $1.94
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 Roll 1943 S Steel Lincoln Wheat Cent 50 Pennies US $1.34
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 1943 P Lincoln Steel Cent Error Missing 4 in Date US $.99
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