FREE: 1943-D War Penny

The listing, 1943-D War Penny has ended.

This is a Brilliant Silver colored coin, however it contains no silver, it is steel with a layer of zink that gives it its color, the 1943 War Penny is the only United States coin made for general circulation to contain no copper. These Pennies are not rare but their history is interesting, 1943 the US was at war and Copper was needed for shell casings.Production of this wartime cent was provided for in the Act approved December 12, 1942, which also set as the expiration date of the authority December 18, 1946. Low grade carbon steel formed the base, to which a zinc coating .005 inches thick was deposited on each side electrolytically as a rust preventative. The same size was maintained but the weight was reduced from the standard 48 grains to 42 grains, due to the use of a lighter alloy. Operations commenced February 27, 1943, and by December 31st of that year the three Mints then functioning had put out an almost record breaking number of cents, with the total reaching 1,093,838,670 pieces. The copper released was enough to meet the combined needs of two cruisers, two destroyers, 1242 flying fortresses, 120 field guns and 120 howitzers; or enough for one and one-quarter million shells for our big field guns.