Lot 097Coin values
1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent
PHILADELPHIA · ZINC-COATED STEEL · 684,628,670 STRUCK
Worth about $0.14–$1 circulated and $22–$28 in MS-65.
The 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent is a common date from the Philadelphia Mint, with 684,628,670 pieces struck. In circulated grades (G-4 to EF-40) our estimate is $0.14–$1, and a well-preserved MS-65 example is estimated at $22–$28.
Struck in zinc-coated steel because of wartime copper demand. A few were struck by mistake in bronze (extremely rare) and are worth six figures.
1943Philadelphia
Catalogue medallion. We do not yet hold a licensed photograph of this exact date and mint, so none is shown rather than one with a different date.
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- Mint
- Philadelphia
- Composition
- Zinc-coated steel
- Mintage
- 684,628,670
- Weight and size
- 2.7 g · 19.05 mm
- Designer
- Victor David Brenner
Among the more plentiful: 94% of issues in the series have a smaller mintage. 684,628,670 struck. Mintage is the number struck, not the number that survive.
Bronze 1943
A 1943 cent that is copper colored and not magnetic is extremely rare. Test with a magnet: steel cents stick to it.
Mint mark position
D and S sit below the date on the obverse. Compare against the date: forged mint marks are common on 1909-S V.D.B., 1914-D and 1931-S.
Color: brown, red-brown, red
Bronze cents tone over time. Uncirculated prices assume red-brown (RB) toning; full red (RD) coins are worth more, brown (BN) coins less.
About the 1943 Lincoln Wheat
How much is a 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent worth?
Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $0.14–$1 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $22–$28 in MS-65. These are estimates, not an appraisal or market data. A coin in the grade you hold may sell for less at a dealer, who needs a margin.
What is a 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent made of?
It is Zinc-coated steel and weighs 2.7 g. Steel and zinc have almost no scrap value, so the value is from collector demand.
How many 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cents were minted?
684,628,670 were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
Where is the mint mark on a Lincoln Wheat Cent?
On the obverse, below the date. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark.
Is my 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent rare?
No. It is a common date. Its value depends mostly on grade, originality and, for this metal, the melt value.
More Lincoln Wheat Cent values
Where these numbers come from
Lincoln cent, Wikipedia: composition, weight, diameter, edge, designer, mint mark position.
Lincoln wheat cent mintage, Landofcoins.com: mintage by year and mint.
Lincoln cent mintage figures, Wikipedia: mintage cross-check.
Mintage US Coins: Lincoln Wheat Cent, Mountain View Coins: mintage cross-check (totals include Proofs).
Lustre editorial grade-value estimates, Lustre: grade value ranges (estimates, not market data).
gold-api.com spot prices (reference level for estimates), gold-api.com: reference spot prices behind the estimates.
How the estimates are made. Facts reviewed Oct 2026.