Value of 1943 steel cents

[Kostik]

Hi all. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I was cleaning out my mother's basement (yep, really) and in the drawer of an old desk I found about a dozen rolls of 1943 steel cents. Not new rolls; obviously these had been collected and rolled up by someone in the red 1c paper rolls you can get at the bank. They have mostly average wear, although a few of them look awfully sharp with a bright color and might be uncirculated.

Just wondering what value, if any, these have?

Thanks!

[uglycent]

I would think you could get 15. 00 per roll if you sold them yourself. less at the coin shop.

[makecents]

They have mostly average wear, although a few of them look awfully sharp with a bright color and might be uncirculated.

Look at the rims of the ones that are not bright and then compare to the really nice looking ones, you can usually see rough, rolled areas at the edge. The bright ones have been more than likely re-plated, quite common.

[Kostik]

Look at the rims of the ones that are not bright and then compare to the really nice looking ones, you can usually see rough, rolled areas at the edge. The bright ones have been more than likely re-plated, quite common.

Didn't know that! None of them are *that* bright; just a few seem to have a clean background without nicks or marks, and pretty sharp relief on Lincoln's face and the wheat on the reverse, and don't show any wear.

[Petespockets55]

Love cliche's when it comes to coins. That's a nice find even if they are circulated, especially if they've been out of sight for decades and might contain varieties.

Can you show us an image of the ones that might be uncirculated? If you do, include an image of the edge.

[Kostik]

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Love cliche's when it comes to coins. That's a nice find even if they are circulated, especially if they've been out of sight for decades and might contain varieties.

Can you show us an image of the ones that might be uncirculated? If you do, include an image of the edge.

Will do! Let me have a day or two to dig them out and take some pictures. Are there any mint marks or easily-spottable errors that would be worth looking for?

Edit: photos uploaded above. I don't think any have been plated; they're not *that* bright. The better ones are pictured. Most of the rest are well worn, many look discolored or oxidized.

[makecents]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]153847[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]153848[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]153849[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]153850[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]153851[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]153852[/ATTACH]


Will do! Let me have a day or two to dig them out and take some pictures. Are there any mint marks or easily-spottable errors that would be worth looking for?

Edit: photos uploaded above. I don't think any have been plated; they're not *that* bright. The better ones are pictured. Most of the rest are well worn, many look discolored or oxidized.

Definitely re-plated. You can see where the rim and edge of the coin meet, where I marked up your pic.

Here are links to the different sites for varieties.

coppercoins (https://coppercoins.com/advsearch.php)

Variety Vista (http://www.varietyvista.com/)

Wexler (https://doubleddie.com/)

[Kostik]

Wow, no kidding. Well then, I'll just hang on to these until I have the time and inclination to try and unload them as a lot. Thanks, all!

[Petespockets55]

Thanks for the images. I'm with Jon (Makecents) about them probably being "nicely" replated, not "blinding bright". The real value would tend to be in the varieties if there are any.

The images of the edge seem to show plating on the edge of the coins, not light rusty streaks. When these were made they were plated before the blanks were punched out of the sheets, so there shouldn't be any plating there. This edge is exposed, so any oxidation will show up as rust. After 83 years, even well-protected in people's homes, there tend to be light rusty streaks on the edge of the coin. I don't see any on your coins. The clear tubes are helpful to minimize oxidation but they look like a more modern style.
BTW- I won 10 tubes in an auction lot about 2 years ago that look very similar to the ones in your images.

[Kostik]

I understand the 1943-S steel cent is the rarest. I found only one in the lot, and it's pretty well worn.

Unfortunately, no 1944s.

[willy13]

As a roll searcher, steel cents are super rare because the magnet in the coin counters have pulled these out of circulation. I have found more indian head cents in rolls than 1943 steel cents. At least thats my explantion for why I can't find them roll searching...

[joel]

I agree William that people, not just collectors, have a fascination with steel cents. The 43s are as hard to find as IHCs.

[Kostik]

What is an IHC?

[joel]

IHCs are Indian Head Cents.