This is the coin everyone in the world wants to find.
Welcome to Episode 5 of Getting Rich on U.S. Mint Mistakes—because discovering this one could change your life.
If you see a penny dated 1943, you need to slow down and check it carefully. A genuine 1943 Copper Penny has sold for over $300,000 
. Here’s exactly how to tell if yours is real.
Why the 1943 Copper Penny Shouldn’t Exist
In 1943, the U.S. Mint stopped using copper to conserve metal for World War II.
Instead, all pennies were made from zinc-coated steel.
In theory, every 1943 penny should be steel.
But a few copper planchets slipped through by mistake—creating one of the most valuable mint errors in history.
The 3 Critical Tests to Identify a REAL 1943 Copper Penny
Test #1: The Magnet Test (Most Important)
- Steel pennies stick to a magnet
- A real copper penny will NOT stick
If it sticks, it’s not the $300,000 coin.
Test #2: The Weight Test
- Steel 1943 pennies weigh about 2.7 grams
- A genuine copper example weighs around 3.1 grams
Use a digital scale accurate to 0.01 grams.
Test #3: The Date Inspection (Fake Detector)
There are many altered fakes made from 1948 copper pennies.
What to look for:
- If the “3” is the same height as the “4”, it’s likely a scrubbed 1948
- On a real 1943, the “3” sits lower than the “4”
Equal height = altered fake
“3” below the “4” = genuine characteristic
Beware of Fakes and Altered Coins
Because of the massive value:
- Thousands of altered coins exist
- Many sellers rely on excitement and poor photos
- Never trust magnet test alone
All three tests must pass.
What If Your Coin Passes All Tests?
If your penny:
- Does not stick to a magnet
- Weighs ~3.1 grams
- Has the correct 1943 date alignment
You may be holding a penny worth over $300,000.
What to do immediately:
- Do not clean it
- Handle by the edges only
- Submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication
Final Thoughts
The 1943 Copper Penny is the holy grail of modern U.S. coin errors.
Most people will never see one—but checking takes only seconds, and the reward could be life-changing.
Save this guide .
Check your pennies 
.
You never know.
