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How to Determine If a 1943 Copper Penny Is Authentic?

The 1943 copper penny is a rare and valuable coin, with only 40 known to be in existence, according to The United States Mint. In 1943, almost all of the pennies were minted in steel coated with zinc because copper was in high demand for the war effort. Because of the coin's value and rarity, a number of counterfeits have been attempted by altering the dates of 1945, 1948 and 1949 copper pennies.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass
Magnet

Instructions

- 1
  Do not clean the coin if you suspect it to be an authentic 1943 copper penny. Cleaning a rare coin can ruin its value.
- 2
  Inspect the date on the penny with a magnifying glass. Make sure it's not scratched or altered in any way. Some 1948 copper pennies have been altered so that half of the number "8" was cut away to make it look like a number "3." If you have a zinc 1943 penny, you can compare the dates and look for an exact match.
- 3
  Use a magnet on the penny. If the penny sticks to the magnet, it is made of steel. A copper penny will not stick to a magnet. Counterfeiters sometimes coat steel pennies in copper.
- 4
  Contact a coin specialist in your area for authentication if you believe that you have a real 1943 copper penny. Call the American Numismatic Association at 719-632-2646 for more information about coin experts near you.

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