Numismatic

1943-S Lincoln Cent MS-66 NGC

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During a pivotal moment in the mid-twentieth century, the United States Mint altered the composition of its minor coinage. This 1943 Lincoln cent, struck at the San Francisco Mint, represents that brief era. Instead of the traditional copper alloy, this coin is composed entirely of zinc-plated steel, giving it a distinctive silver-colored appearance that sets it apart from other pennies of the twentieth century. The obverse of the coin displays the familiar portrait of Abraham Lincoln looking right. Above his likeness, the national motto reads IN GOD WE TRUST, while the word LIBERTY is positioned to the left, and the date 1943 with the S mint mark sits to the right. This particular specimen is certified in an exceptional Mint State 66 grade, showcasing the original metallic luster of the steel planchet. On the reverse, the design features two stalks of wheat framing the central inscriptions. The denomination ONE CENT and the country name UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are clearly legible, topped by the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. With a total mintage of 191,550,000, these steel cents remain a fascinating testament to wartime resource conservation.