1942 & 1943 Wartime Lincoln Cents
October 10th, 2008
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An American classic coin has always been the Lincoln Cent. This set includes a 1942 copper penny and 1943 steel penny, both in Superb Gem Brilliant Uncirculated MS66 condition. $75 |
The Lincoln Cent has been an American favorite for almost a century. But during World War II, it proved to be much more than just a “lucky penny” by helping to defeat the Axis powers. How did a simple penny do this? Through cold, hard steel, THAT’S how! By the end of 1942 the Allies were in trouble. Not on the battlefield, but in the armaments race. Copper, a valuable wartime material, was running short. This dilemma prompted Congress to authorize the striking of Steel Cents — pennies produced NOT from copper but from carbon steel. The Act was passed on December 12, 1942, and by 1943 the U.S. Mint was working overtime to produce enough steel pennies to replace the copper ones.
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