1944 STEEL 1C MS | Coin Explorer (2024)

FAQs

Is a 1944 copper penny worth anything? ›

A 1944 copper penny is worth about $0.20 or up to $1 if it's in good condition. 1944 copper pennies can be worth more if they were minted in San Francisco (“S” mint mark) or Denver (“D” mint mark). 1944 copper pennies minted in Philadelphia have no mint mark.

The 1944 Steel Cent is a very rare off-metal striking created when 1) a steel blank left over from 1943 was struck in the normal production run of 1944 Bronze Cents or 2) a steel blank meant for a foreign coin accidentally made it into a bin of bronze cents.

To the Philadelphia Mint, the 1944 wheat penny had a high mintage of 1,435,400,000, which is not considered rare. It is also often found in circulated conditions, with varying degrees of wear and tear. Finding one in uncirculated condition, with little to no wear, can be more challenging and may command a higher value.

Most steel coins are magnetic, so if your coin isn't attracted to a magnet that would point to it not being steel.

The most valuable 1944 penny comes from the San Francisco Mint. If you're checking your own pennies to see if one is worth quite a bit of money, look for a small “S” below the date. This signifies that the coin was minted at the San Francisco Mint.

Over 2 billion 1944 Lincoln Cents were struck, including 1.435 billion at Philadelphia, 430 million at San Francisco and 282 million in Denver. Today, typical examples in grades lower than Mint State are worth less than a dollar. For Mint State examples, values include: 1944 BN: $3.50 in MS 63 to $35 in MS 67.

How Much Is My 1944 Penny Worth? If it's a normal 1944, 1944-D, or 1944-S cent, it isn't worth much. They are some of the most common of common-date Wheat cents. Prices range from around 20 cents in circulated condition, to 35 cents in uncirculated.

Coins with mistakes, such as a double die or missing letters, can be worth significantly more than their regular counterparts. Another way is to look for specific years known to be scarce or have low mintage numbers. Collectors also value wheat pennies with a high level of detail and minimal wear.

Steel pennies were made for only one year in 1943, during World War II, due to a copper shortage. However, it is worth noting that in 1944, the U.S. Mint resumed using copper to produce pennies, but a few steel pennies were accidentally struck with a 1944 date and today are considered rare collector's items.

Proofs: There were no Proof coins struck in 1944.

What wheat pennies are worth the most money? ›

The single most valuable Wheat Penny to sell at auction is a 1943-D Bronze Cent that sold for $840,000. Other very valuable Wheat Pennies include the 1944 Steel Penny, the 1909-S VBD Lincoln Wheat Penny, and the 1943-D Bronze Cent.

The 1964-D penny is relatively common in circulated grades until MS64. In MS65, they become harder to find. In MS66 condition, they become rare, with maybe less than 1,000 available. The ones minted at Denver Mint were the only ones that had a mint mark that year.

Pass a sizeable magnet, preferably larger than a refrigerator magnet, over your penny. Did it pick the penny up? If it did not pick the penny up or attract it with a noticeable force, it is not a steel penny. If it picked the penny up, your penny is made from steel.

To tell if your 1943 penny is worth a mil, put a magnet over it. If it sticks to the magnet, it is steel, but still worth anywhere between 20 cents and $20. However, if it doesn't stick to the magnet, you might be in for a windfall. Of course, the 1943 copper penny isn't the only coin worth a lot.

No mint marks appeared on circulating coins from 1965 to 1967. The Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated mint marks to discourage collecting while the Mint worked to meet the country's coinage needs. Mint marks were placed on the reverse of coins until 1968 when they moved to the obverse.

Here's a list of the top 10 most valuable pennies for 2023: 1) 1944 Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000. 2) 1943 Copper Wheat Penny - $250,000. 3) 1856 Flying Eagle Penny - $25,000.

The 1943 copper penny is worth more than its face value. Due to its rarity and unique composition, this coin can fetch a high price of $100,000 to $250,000.

Coins with mistakes, such as a double die or missing letters, can be worth significantly more than their regular counterparts. Another way is to look for specific years known to be scarce or have low mintage numbers. Collectors also value wheat pennies with a high level of detail and minimal wear.