1943 1C Struck on a Bronze Planchet AU55 PCGS. CAC....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Jan 16, 2025 for:

$264,000.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1943 Bronze Cent, AU55 CAC
Noted Transitional Alloy Error
Ex: Donald Partrick

1943 1C Struck on a Bronze Planchet AU55 PCGS. CAC. Ex: Partrick-Whispering Pines. The copper used for coining bronze cents was needed for the manufacture of munitions during World War II, and zinc-coated steel was selected as a replacement. Much experimentation took place before the government arrived at that decision. Patterns dated 1942, featuring a bust from the Columbian two centavos, were struck in various materials; unusual alternatives included plastic, rubber, bakelite, fiber, and glass. Those substances proved unsuitable for circulating coinage, even during a war emergency. Other candidates for the 1943 cent alloy were zinc, manganese, white metal, aluminum, and lead. The pattern cent Judd-2054 was struck in the zinc-coated steel that proved to be the best option.

Each of the three mints then in operation (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco) produced 1943 cents in great quantities. Altogether, about one billion "steelie" cents -- the only magnetic U.S. coin issue -- were issued during 1943. They quickly became unpopular since the silver color, and a similar diameter, caused them to be accepted as dimes by the unwary. The steel cents also became discolored quickly. Meanwhile, the U.S. military was accumulating a vast quantity of spent copper ammunition cases, negating the need for the new alloy. The zinc-plated steel cent became a one-year experiment when copper returned to the alloy after 1943.

Given the huge mintages of cents during 1943, it is not surprising that a small number of examples would be struck on bronze planchets intended for 1942 cents. Rather than malfeasance on the part of mint employees, the likely theories are: planchets could have been wedged in the trap doors of the bins used to transport them; planchets may have been left over in the feeders; or the bins simply might not have been completely emptied before the transition to the zinc-plated steel cent. In any event, a few bronze cents were struck at each of the three facilities in 1943. In 1944, when the alloy reverted to bronze, again there were some transitional alloy errors, with some coins struck in zinc-plated steel at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The 1944 Philadelphia zinc-plated steel cent is somewhat less rare than the 1943 bronze cent, possibly since zinc-plated steel cent planchets were used by the U.S. Mint to strike 1944 two franc pieces for Belgium.

Given the fame of the 1943 bronze cent, it is curious that none were discovered until March 1947, when sixteen-year-old Don Lutes, Jr. received one in his change from his high school cafeteria. He did not immediately report his find, however. The first to do so was Conrad Ottelin, a Cleveland physician, whose letter to The Numismatist was published in 1947. It was actually Ottelin's son who noticed the unusual 1943 cent while inspecting the family change. Over the years, additional examples were discovered. The search for examples was partially motivated by an unfounded rumor that the Ford Motor Company would exchange a new car for a bronze 1943 cent.

The number of surviving, genuine 1943 bronze cents is unknown, although generally estimated at about 20 coins from the Philadelphia Mint and perhaps six or seven from the San Francisco Mint. A single 1943-D bronze cent is known. PCGS has certified 13 of these Philadelphia Mint pieces in grades from XF45 to MS63 (11/24). Grades assigned include XF45 (1), AU50 (3), AU55 (2), AU58 (1), MS61 (3, one Red and Brown), MS62 (2), and MS63 Red (1, oddly, this coin does not appear in the PCGS Population Report, but its cert number 32839117 still verifies). Any appearance of a 1943 bronze cent at auction is an important event for the advanced Wheat Cent collector.

The present lightly circulated example displays attractive golden-brown color. Lincoln's cheekbone and jaw show slight wear, but ample luster remains, and there are no consequential marks. The overall presentation is most attractive and the high quality within the grade is confirmed by CAC. The 1943 bronze cent is the best known of all transitional alloy mint errors, and this problem-free Choice AU example will undoubtedly be the subject of intense bidding. The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent is listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. Population: 2 in 55, 5 finer. CAC: 2 in 55, 3 finer (11/24).
Ex: Donald G. Partrick; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2021), lot 3068 (as AU55 NGC), realized $240,000.
From The Whispering Pines Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 22E5, PCGS# 82709, Greysheet# 1978)

Weight: 3.11 grams

Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc

View all of [The Whispering Pines Collection ]

View Certification Details from PCGS