The 1943 S Bronze Cent is one of the rarest and most valuable coins in U.S. history. Because of a special mistake made at the mint, this penny is worth hundreds of thousands—and sometimes even millions—of dollars today.
Why Was This Coin Made?
In 1943, the U.S. needed copper for World War II supplies like bullets and radio wires. So the U.S. Mint changed penny production from copper (or bronze) to steel coated in zinc. These steel cents looked silver and were made by the millions in that year.
But at the San Francisco Mint, a few leftover bronze coin blanks from 1942 accidentally got used during the 1943 production. These rare pennies look like regular copper coins—but they were never meant to be made!
How Rare Is It?
Only six 1943 S Bronze Cents are known to exist. That’s what makes them so valuable.
Some were found in pocket change, others in old penny rolls—usually discovered by total surprise. Because so few were made, they are considered one of the most famous error coins in U.S. history.
What’s It Worth?
The value of a 1943 S Bronze Cent depends on its condition, but it’s always high:
- In 2025, one sold at auction for $204,000.
- Another sold years ago for a whopping $1.7 million!
Why Is It So Valuable?
This coin is incredibly special for three main reasons:
- Minting mistake: It was made using the wrong metal by accident.
- War history: It represents a time when Americans were conserving resources for the war.
- Super rare: With only a few out there, collectors are willing to pay big bucks.
How to Spot a Real One
Want to know if you have one of these rare pennies? Here’s what to check:
- Weight: It should weigh about 3.11 grams. Steel pennies are lighter.
- Color: It looks brown or copper-colored, not silvery-gray like a steel cent.
- Magnet test: Real bronze cents won’t stick to a magnet—but steel ones will.
- Mint mark: It should have a small “S” under the year, for San Francisco Mint.
To be sure, send it to a coin grading company like PCGS or NGC to get it authenticated and graded.
A Lucky Find
The first one was found in 1944 by a boy named Kenneth Wing Jr., who spotted it in his pocket change. At first, the U.S. Mint said it was impossible—but more were found over the years, proving it really did happen.
The 1943 S Bronze Cent is a rare gem in American coin collecting. It’s valuable because it’s a mistake, a piece of war history, and incredibly hard to find. If you’re lucky enough to own one, you’re holding a piece of history that could be worth a fortune.
