Check Your Change — A Lincoln Penny
1. A Rare Mistake in Wartime
The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent is one of America’s most famous error coins.
In 1943, the Mint switched from bronze to steel to save copper for World War II.
But “a few leftover bronze planchets from 1942 were mistakenly left in the minting machinery,”
creating coins that were never supposed to exist.
2. Public Discovery
The first examples appeared in circulation in 1947, surprising the public.
People were amazed that such an oversight happened during a time of “tight wartime control and precision.”
News quickly spread through newspapers and collectors.
3. Why It Stands Out
The coin’s “warm bronze tone” and Lincoln’s bold portrait made it instantly recognizable compared to the gray steel cent.
Each one became a symbol of wartime challenges and accidental survival.
4. A Collector’s Treasure
Only a few real examples are known today, each worth huge sums.
The coin remains “one of the most celebrated treasures in numismatic history.”
1. A Rare Mistake in Wartime
The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent is one of America’s most famous error coins.
In 1943, the Mint switched from bronze to steel to save copper for World War II.
But “a few leftover bronze planchets from 1942 were mistakenly left in the minting machinery,”
creating coins that were never supposed to exist.
2. Public Discovery
The first examples appeared in circulation in 1947, surprising the public.
People were amazed that such an oversight happened during a time of “tight wartime control and precision.”
News quickly spread through newspapers and collectors.
3. Why It Stands Out
The coin’s “warm bronze tone” and Lincoln’s bold portrait made it instantly recognizable compared to the gray steel cent.
Each one became a symbol of wartime challenges and accidental survival.
4. A Collector’s Treasure
Only a few real examples are known today, each worth huge sums.
The coin remains “one of the most celebrated treasures in numismatic history.”
