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Because they are error coins. 1943 was the only year that the US intentionally minted steel cents, those coins are not rare and only fetch a few cents or a dollar or two. 1944 steel cents are error coins and were not intentionally struck, rather, steel blanks were left in the machine used to strike pennies and they were struck in steel rather than copper. Other 1944 pennies are made out of copper and are not rare and they only fetch a few cents.

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Q: Why are the 1944 steel pennies rare?
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Continue Learning about U.S. History

Was there a steel pennies made in 1961 that was not for circulation?

Steel pennies were only minted in 1943, however some examples of steel pennies being struck in error in 1944.


Are there any valuable pennies between 1941 and 1965?

Not especially, except for the extremely rare 1943 copper cent, or even more rare 1944 steel cent (both of which were error coins).


1944 steel wheat penny?

These are quite rare and worth quite a bit of money. Most steel pennies bear the date of 1943, ones bearing the date of 1944 are error coins because there were a few steel blanks left in the machine when the mint changed the dies to 1944 in the same way that some copper 1943 cents were struck. A 1944 steel cent generally will sell for around $75,000 or more depending on the condition. However, one needs to beware of fakes, a genuine 1944 steel cent will be magnetic and will have the numerals like a common copper 1944 cent.


Were any pennies minted that were not copper?

1943 cents were made out of scrap steel coated with zinc because copper was needed to make ammunition. A few bronze blanks left over from 1942 were accidentally mixed in with the steel blanks and were struck with a 1943 date. These errors are extremely rare and are worth tens of thousands of dollars at a minimum. Bronze cents were resumed in 1944 but a few leftover steel blanks were similarly struck with a 1944 date.


What is the value of a 1944 us copper penny worth?

Copper is the normal metal for 1944 pennies -- it's worth about 2 cents. Now if you had a 1944 made of steel, or a 1943 made of copper, then you might have something. Dan

Related questions

I have a 1944 penny with a dent in the middle how much is it worth?

You would need to get it appraised by a coin dealer. 1944 the US was making pennies out of steel.. and they are very rare.


Was there a steel pennies made in 1961 that was not for circulation?

Steel pennies were only minted in 1943, however some examples of steel pennies being struck in error in 1944.


Are there any valuable pennies between 1941 and 1965?

Not especially, except for the extremely rare 1943 copper cent, or even more rare 1944 steel cent (both of which were error coins).


How do you know if your 1944 penny is steel?

If your 1944 penny is made of steel, it will be attracted to a magnet because the steel composition is magnetic. You can also check the weight of the coin as steel pennies weigh less than copper pennies. Another method is to look for a silver-gray color, as steel pennies are not copper-colored like regular pennies.


How rare is a steel American penny?

The 1943 steel cent is exceedingly common. The 1944 steel cent is exceptionally rare.


Are there any pennies from 1943 made of steel?

Yes, in 1943, some pennies were made of steel due to a shortage of copper during World War II. These steel pennies are rare and highly sought after by collectors.


1944 steel wheat penny?

These are quite rare and worth quite a bit of money. Most steel pennies bear the date of 1943, ones bearing the date of 1944 are error coins because there were a few steel blanks left in the machine when the mint changed the dies to 1944 in the same way that some copper 1943 cents were struck. A 1944 steel cent generally will sell for around $75,000 or more depending on the condition. However, one needs to beware of fakes, a genuine 1944 steel cent will be magnetic and will have the numerals like a common copper 1944 cent.


How many steel 1944 pennies were minted?

The US never made steel pennies in 1946. They were made in 1943 to save copper for the war effort.


What are steel 1944 pennies worth?

Steel pennies were only minted in 1943. If the penny you have is really a 1944 and is steel it is worth a couple thousand. If however it is really a 1943 it is worth .05 to 1.50 depending on condition. If it has no mintmark and is uncirculated it is worth $12.00. If it has a D and is uncirculated it is worth $15.00. If it has a S and is uncirculated it is worth $25.00. The mintmark is located below the date.


Are all wheat pennies made of steel?

No, wheat pennies were primarily made of copper during 1909-1942 and in 1944-1958. In 1943, due to copper shortages during World War II, steel pennies were minted which are distinctly different in appearance.


Were any pennies minted that were not copper?

1943 cents were made out of scrap steel coated with zinc because copper was needed to make ammunition. A few bronze blanks left over from 1942 were accidentally mixed in with the steel blanks and were struck with a 1943 date. These errors are extremely rare and are worth tens of thousands of dollars at a minimum. Bronze cents were resumed in 1944 but a few leftover steel blanks were similarly struck with a 1944 date.


A list of valuable pennies?

It depends by what you mean "valuable" all pennies dated 1958 and prior are worth more than face value, at a few cents more than face in all except for the very lowest grade (for some ultra-rare cents, even a poor condition cent can be worth hundreds of dollars). In general, the older the coin, the more valuable. But for wheat cents, the rare dates are: 1909-S VDB 1909-S no VDB 1914-D 1922 without a mintmark 1931-S 1943 COPPER penny (any 1943 cent that is magnetic is NOT rare) 1944 STEEL penny (any 1944 cent that is not magnetic is NOT rare) On both the 1943 and 1944 pennies, beware of fakes! There are many, many, copper plated steel cents or altered dates (genuine 1948 cents with the 8 altered to look like a 3, etc.)