U.S. Steel Wartime Penny

The 1943 steel wartime penny is a unique piece of American coinage minted during World War II. Due to the increased demand for copper to support the war effort, the U.S. Mint temporarily replaced the traditional copper composition of pennies with zinc-coated steel. These coins, often referred to as "steelies," were produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints, resulting in over a billion being struck. They are easily recognizable by their silver-gray color, which sets them apart from typical copper pennies.

While the steel composition helped conserve copper for military use, the coins faced challenges in circulation. Their similarity to dimes in appearance caused confusion, and the zinc coating proved prone to corrosion, leading to rust and discoloration over time. By 1944, the Mint reverted to a copper-based composition, using recycled shell casings to produce the coins.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Your Civil War Penny will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical artifacts. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

World War II-era coins are relatively easy to own due to their mass production and durability. During the war, countries involved in the conflict minted millions of coins for use in daily transactions and military operations. These coins were often made from materials such as copper, nickel, or zinc, chosen for their availability and resilience under the constraints of wartime economies. In some cases, alternative metals like aluminum or steel were used to conserve more valuable resources for the war effort.

Many of these coins were preserved because of their widespread use and the significance attached to them. Soldiers often kept coins as personal keepsakes or souvenirs from places they were stationed. Families and collectors later retained them as reminders of a pivotal historical period. Some coins were also discovered in wartime caches, hidden by civilians or soldiers for safekeeping during the chaos of the conflict.

The historical and cultural value of these coins, combined with their durable construction and the vast quantities originally minted, makes them accessible to collectors worldwide.