1944 1C, RD

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Sold on Feb 22, 2001 for:

$11,500.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder

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1944 Steel Cent--A Major 20th Century Error

1944 1C --Struck on a Steel Planchet--AU 55 PCGS. The story behind the creation of the 1943 copper cents has been told and retold in numismatic circles since the discovery specimen was reported in the June, 1947 edition of The Numismatist. Leftover copper blanks from 1942 found their way into the coinage presses and were struck with 1943-dated dies. Recent years have also seen heightened public interest in these pieces, with national coverage often resulting in temporary elation and dashed hopes. Less well known among the non-collecting public are the equally as fascinating 1944 steel cents.
The 1944 steel cents probably owe their existence to a few leftover steel planchets that were accidentally struck early in the year. In the case of the Denver and San Francisco Mints, this is the only explanation for the creation of these rarities. A second set of circumstances could also explain the existence of the P-mint examples. Rather than waste the numerous steel planchets that remained unused at the end of 1943, the Philadelphia Mint pressed them into service the following year to produce 25 million two franc coins for liberated Belgium. Given the poor quality control that characterized the wartime Philadelphia Mint, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that some of these planchets found their way into a tote filled with cent planchets. Once struck, most of these coins were probably released in original mint-sewn bags.
Richard Fenton discovered the first 1944 steel cent in circulation in 1945. Another example was reported in 1959 by W. H. Smith of Fayetteville, Ohio. In his 1996 book The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents, David W. Lange gives an estimate of the number of 1944 steel cents confirmed as genuine: 27 P-mint examples; seven (perhaps as high as 10) D-mint examples; and a single S-mint coin. The Philadelphia and Denver coins are less rare than their 1943 copper counterparts, but the 1944-S steel cent is the rarest of the 1943-1944 off-metal error cents.
The finest known P-mint steel cent was once the property of Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock, designer of the Roosevelt dime and Franklin half dollar. He passed this coin, as well as a 1943 copper cent that he had also acquired, to an anonymous female acquaintance, who in turn sold both examples to dealer William Grichin. The coins then passed through the hands of Harry J. Forman and John J. Ford, the latter consigning them to the 1981 ANA Sale (Bowers & Ruddy). The 1944 steel cent was graded MS 65 and realized $3,500 as lot 415 in that sale.
None of the remaining 1944 steel cents grade below the VF level, although a few of the coins are corroded to one degree or another. This is a pleasing Choice AU example whose surfaces are free of unduly bothersome abrasions. There are, however, a few flecks of carbon, and isolated areas of light corrosion are noted over some of the letters in the denomination ONE CENT. Both sides are curiously bright, but the overall appearance is quite appealing. A significant bidding opportunity for the advanced Lincoln cent collector.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 22EA, PCGS# 2722, Greysheet# 1981)

Weight: 3.11 grams

Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc

View Certification Details from PCGS