Check Your Change — A Linc oln
Overview
The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent is “one of the most fascinating error coins in American history,”
created by chance during World War II when the U.S. Mint shifted from bronze to steel to conserve copper.
How It Happened
A few leftover bronze planchets from 1942 were accidentally struck with 1943 dies, producing coins that “should never have existed.”
The mistake reflected the pressure and complexity of wartime minting.
Public Reaction
When examples surfaced in 1947, they stunned the public.
People were amazed such an error occurred during “a period of tight wartime control,”
fueling newspaper stories, collector interest, and treasure hunts.
Why It Matters
For collectors, the coin blends “history, rarity, and mystery.”
Its bronze color and Lincoln portrait mark it as an accidental survivor from a time when copper was crucial to the war effort.
