The 1943 D Lincoln Bronze Cent is Only a single example and the most famous and valuable coin in American numismatic history. Part of the Lincoln Wheat reverse series, this coin was produced between 1909 and 1958. The 1943-D Bronze Cent has special qualities because of its rarity and the history of its making.
This coin, which was struck at the Denver Mint, had no plans to be made; instead, it was the consequence of an uncommon making error that created a small number of bronze planchets with the 1943 date. As there is now just one recognized example of this coin, collectors are going to find it to be a real gem.
History of 1943 D Lincoln Bronze Cent
With World War II firmly in progress, 1943 was a year of huge transformation in the United States. Because of a lack of copper, a vital resource for the cause of war, the U.S. Mint was assigned to locate another resource for making coins. For the purpose of maintaining copper for military usage, zinc-coated steel was chosen for the 1943 Lincoln Cents. Nonetheless, a few 1943 Lincoln Cents were struck in bronze as a result of an inadvertent usage of some surplus 1942 bronze planchets during the minting process. One of these rare and valuable errors is the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent.
According to reports, the coin came to a former employee of the Denver Mint, who is thought to have struck it by mistake. There have been rumors that the planchet was personally inserted into the coining press and struck many times to improve the design because this 1943 bronze cent has the greatest strike of any. The coin was one of the most valued errors coins in the world when it was eventually found and verified after being concealed for years.
Specifications
- Category: Lincoln Cents, Wheat Reverse (1909-1958)
- Mint: Denver (D)
- Mintage: 1 known struck
- Composition: 95% copper, 5% zinc & tin
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Diameter: 19.05 mm
- Edge: Plain
Design
Obverse:
The obverse of the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent has the iconic bust of Abraham Lincoln. It is designed by Victor D. Brenner. The inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” arches along the top side of the coin, with the word “LIBERTY” on the left side of Lincoln’s portrait. The date “1943” and the Denver Mint mark “D” are found to the right of the picture.
Reverse:
The reverse design, also by Victor D. Brenner, has two wheat ears flanking the denomination “ONE CENT.” The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are also written on it. This classic design stayed in use until 1958.
Rarity and Condition
There is only one known examples of of the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent, which makes it a very rare coin. Because the coin was accidentally struck with a bronze planchet instead of usual zinc-coated steel, it is extremely rare. The coin has been evaluated by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) as About Uncirculated-50 (AU50), suggesting excellent condition. This grade indicates the currency has not been used much yet still has a lot of its original shine and clarity.
Error
In the records of numismatic history, the error that brought rise to the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent is among the most famous. A number of excess 1942 bronze planchets mistakenly found their way into the production process when the U.S. Mint changed to zinc-coated steel for the 1943 Lincoln Cents. A few bronze cents were struck in 1943 as because of these planchets being struck with the 1943 dies. It required several years for the error to be identified, and by that time, collectors had created stories out of the coins.
Value of 1943 D Lincoln Bronze Cent
The 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent has a huge value due to its historical significance and rarity. GreatCollections sold the coin in January 2022 for an amazing $250,875, which makes it one of the most important Lincoln Cents ever sold. The coin’s fine strike, unique history, and uncommon status as the only known as example of a 1943-D Bronze Cent all factor to its high value.
Also Read – 1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent: A Guide for Coin Enthusiasts
Conclusion
One of the most famous minted errors in American history is represented by the 1943 D Lincoln Bronze Cent, an authentic numismatic works of art. Any professional collector is going to consider it a valued product because of its rarity, historical value, and mysterious creation. This coin, only known example of its type, is evidence of the attraction of uncommon and rare coins, attracting the interest of both collectors and historians.