Newly-Discovered 1943 Bronze Cent Example Comes To Long Beach Expo/Summer Fun Event

Heritage Auctions - An extremely rare 1943 Lincoln Cent that was struck on a bronze planchet, which has been called the most famous and sought-after error coin of all time, will be offered at auction for the first time ever when it crosses the block in Heritage Auctions' Long Beach Expo/Summer FUN US coins Signature® Auction July 14-17.

The 1943 Cent Struck on a Bronze Planchet AU50 PCGS is an extreme rarity among a common mintage.



"This coin has a fascinating story behind it," says Mark Van Winkle, Chief Cataloger at Heritage Auctions. "1943 cents were not uncommon at all — hundreds of millions were struck. When copper was needed for the World War II war effort, for ammunition shell casings, they were struck in zinc-coated steel. This coin was among a few bronze planchets that stuck in the tote bins ... only to get dislodged and fed into the presses, emerging in 1943 in a bin full of zinc-coated steel cents.

"This is a previously unknown specimen. With only a light touch of wear at the AU50 grade level, this is an important coin, one that can significantly strengthen any serious collection of Lincoln cents or error coins."

Demand grew, and not just because of the mere rarity. Rumors surfaced nationwide in the late 1940s that Henry Ford would give a new car to anyone who found a 1943 "copper" cent. The fact that Ford made no such promise was irrelevant, because the promise of a free car sent interest in the coin soaring. A few examples cropped up in circulation beginning in 1947, garnering such a spotlight that they prompted ads and stories in magazines and comic books over the next two decades. False promises or not, the coins brought high prices and generated long-term fascination — hence the excitement surrounding the coin offered in this auction.