The item in question is a United States one-cent coin minted in 1943 at the San Francisco Mint. Its composition deviates from the standard bronze alloy used for most of its contemporaries. Typically, pennies of this era were made of copper; however, wartime metal conservation efforts led to the use of zinc-coated steel for the majority of 1943 pennies. Some coins, however, were erroneously struck on bronze planchets, creating a rare and valuable error.
The significance of this particular piece lies in its unusual metallic composition and the circumstances surrounding its creation. Its rarity stems from the fact that it was not intended to be produced in silver. The unintended use of bronze planchets during a period when steel was the intended metal resulted in a highly sought-after collectible. This error provides valuable insight into the minting processes and material control procedures of the time. The historical context underscores the impact of World War II on even the smallest aspects of daily life, such as the composition of coinage.
