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 D LINCOLN STEEL CENT  US $.99
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 1943 S LINCOLN STEEL CENT US $1.04
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 1943 WWII US Steel Lincoln Wheat Cent Coin Set P D S US $8.95
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 1943 LINCOLN WHEAT CENTSTEELUNCIRCULATEDFINE US $.99
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 1943 S STEEL LINCOLN WHEAT CENT US $.01
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 ERROR 1943 S Steel Cent NCS AU Off center No Reserve US $134.00
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 4 1943 LINCOLN WHEAT STEEL CENT PENNY FREE S H US $1.25
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 Circulated 1943 Steel Cent 100 coins great starter set US $13.50
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 1943 D Steel Lincoln Cent PCGS MS 66 Super Gem US $25.38
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 4 LINCOLN WHEAT CENT 1943 STEEL 1946 S 1954 D 1955 S US $193.00
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 1943 s s CH BU RPM 7 STEEL Lincoln Cent Error Coin US $19.99
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 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny small cent nice gradeSTEEL US $.99
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 Full Roll of 50 1943 S Steel Wheat Pennies Penny Cent US $6.45
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 1943 STEEL CENTS P D S ALL 3 COINS SUPER NICE AUCENT US $2.25
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 NICE 1943 1c Steel war time Wheat Penny cent NCG MS65 US $15.50
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 Sharp BU 1943 Wheat Steel Centno reserve US $.25
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 1943 P D S Lincoln Steel Cent Set Refinished US $1.95
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 Circulated 1943 Steel Cent 50 coins great starter set US $5.50
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 1943 Steel Cent AU Almost Uncirculated US $.99
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 1943 D Denver Steel Cent VF Very Fine US $.99
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