ADVERTISEMENT
✅ 3. Use a Magnet
Steel cents will stick to a magnet. Copper cents will not.
✅ 4. Confirm the Weight
If you want to be extra cautious before heading to an appraiser, a 1943 copper cent weighs 3.11 grams, while a steel penny weighs only 2.7 grams.
🧠 Beware of Fakes!
Because of their value, counterfeit 1943 copper pennies do exist. Some are made by copper-plating steel pennies, while others are altered 1948 pennies (changing the “8” to a “3”).
- Take it to a reputable coin dealer
- Or send it to a grading service like PCGS or NGC for authentication
🪙 Final Thoughts: That Penny in Your Hand Could Be Worth a Fortune
It’s easy to dismiss pennies as pocket change, but numismatics (the study of coins) proves that sometimes, even the smallest coins can hold massive value.
So next time you’re counting change or emptying your piggy bank, remember this:
Check your coins — because treasure doesn’t always come in gold.