The 1943 Lincoln cents were composed of steel coated with zinc. Copper and bronze were not used that year because they were needed for ammunition in WWII.
The coins were originally silvery in color but quickly turned gray due to oxidation and other chemical reactions. Because of that many people mistakenly believe that 1943 cents were made of silver or lead, but both are false.
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The US never made silver pennies. In 1943 the US made steel pennies. These are often mistaken for silver pennies.
The 1943 US penny reflects the shortage of some metals due to production for the war. Instead of copper, the pennies were made of steel, and are grey in color.
1943
A 1943 penny made of copper that's worth $20-40k circulated.
The 1943 US pennies were steel, not platinum. Their worth depends on condition.