JarSort · Inherited coin values
1943 steel penny value
The 1943 steel penny is the most famous penny in American jars — and one of the least valuable. Over one billion were struck (1,093,838,670), so a worn one is worth $0.10–$0.50. But one version of the 1943 cent is worth $100,000 or more, and it looks almost identical. The magnet test below tells them apart in two seconds.
The three numbers that matter
Prices as of Oct 24, 2026 · Silver spot $53.80/ozt (Kitco) · Circulated, common date, problem-free, raw (uncertified) unless stated
Retail from Oct 2026 value guides (worn $0.10–$0.50; VF $0.50–$2). Dealer-pay is a nominal estimate, labelled as such — there is no published buy list for steel cents.
The magnet test: steel vs. the $100,000 bronze error
A genuine 1943 steel cent sticks to a magnet. The rare 1943 bronze error cent — struck on a leftover copper planchet — does not stick to a magnet and weighs 3.11 grams. It is worth $100,000+. If your 1943 cent does not stick to a magnet, stop: do not clean it, do not spend it, and get it authenticated in person before you sell it. Most “1943 copper cents” found in jars are replated steel cents, which lose their premium.
How to tell what you have
- Year and mint mark: 1943, with P (none), D, or S below the date.
- Colour: original steel cents are grey; a copper-coloured 1943 cent is usually a replated steel cent, not the bronze error.
- Condition: most steel cents in jars are worn. Uncirculated, original examples are worth $12–$24.
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