The 1943-S bronze Lincoln cent is one of the most intriguing anomalies in American numismatic history, with a single detail making it valued at $504,000.
Renowned for its rarity and the stories surrounding its discovery, this coin is highly sought after by collectors, according to Heritage Auctions.
The specific coin in question, graded MS63 Brown by PCGS and approved by CAC, is the finest-known example of this famous error and is a highlight of the esteemed Simpson Collection.
During World War II, copper was a vital material for munitions and communication equipment.
As a result, the Treasury Department ordered the US Mint to produce cents using zinc-coated steel planchets in 1943 instead of the usual bronze.
The three operational US Mints collectively produced over a billion of these steel cents that year, with the San Francisco Mint alone contributing 191,550,000, as noted on the website.
However, some bronze planchets, originally intended for 1942 production, remained in the Mint’s supply bins.
These were accidentally mixed with the steel planchets and struck as 1943-dated coins.
This mistake occurred at all three Mints—Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco—leading to the creation of a few 1943 bronze cents.
Of these, only six examples from the San Francisco Mint have been verified, making them incredibly rare.
DETAILED HISTORY
Rumors about the 1943 bronze cents began circulating soon after their accidental release, per the website.
In the 1940s, stories spread that Henry Ford might reward anyone who found one of these “copper” cents with a new car, despite denials from the Ford Motor Company.
This myth contributed to a surge of interest among collectors, who scoured bank rolls for these elusive coins.
The first confirmed discovery of a 1943-S bronze cent came in 1944, when Kenneth Wing, Jr., a teenage collector from Long Beach, found one in circulation, HA reported.
The present coin has a notable early history, first appearing in the auction market in the Dr. Charles L. Ruby Collection in 1974.
It was discovered in a bag of 1943-S steel cents at the San Diego Bank of America by Merl D. Burcham and subsequently passed through several hands, including those of error coin dealer Frank Spadone and collector Walter Farris.
MONEY-MAKING MISTAKE
The MS63 Brown 1943-S bronze Lincoln cent offered here is the finest-known example of this error.
The coin exhibits sharp design details, with intricate features on Lincoln’s hair and the wheat stalks.
Its surface displays a mix of light brown and crimson patina, with traces of original red visible in sheltered areas.
A tiny fleck of zinc from the steel cents is evident on the obverse surface, adding to its uniqueness.
The coin was acquired by Bob Simpson in a private transaction for a record $1 million in 2012 and was a key piece in Simpson’s All-Time Finest PCGS Registry Set of Lincoln Cents Off-Metal Strikes, Heritage Auctions reported.
This MS63 specimen is expected to draw intense interest from collectors, given its status and history.
It is listed among the 100 Greatest US Error Coins and is depicted on PCGS CoinFacts.
BIG BRONZE
There are only six certified examples of the 1943-S bronze cents, with their existence verified through public auctions and private trades.
The roster, per HA, includes:
- MS63 Brown PCGS Secure: The present coin, discovered in a bag of steel cents in 1944, has a distinguished history and was previously in the Simpson Collection.
- AU58 PCGS: Previously owned by Dave Berg and acquired by Bob Simpson as a duplicate piece.
- AU55 PCGS Secure: Previously authenticated by ANACS and sold at auction for significant sums.
- AU55 NGC: Listed on the NGC Census Report.
- AU53 NGC: Discovered by Kenneth S. Wing Jr. and has had several high-profile transactions.
- VF35 PCGS: Described as “King of the Small Cents” and known for its nationwide publicity.
