1943-D Bronze Copper Wheat Penny Value: What Is It Worth in 2026?

⚠ Key date / rare varietyMintage: ~1 struck
Estimated value · Source: USACoinBook price guide (updated Feb 2026)
1943 D Wheat Penny · Bronze Copper
Mint: Denver (D)
Get it graded

Getting this graded by PCGS or NGC before selling usually pays off. Authentication matters too: fakes of key dates are common.

Value by condition

Good (G-4, heavily worn)
Very Good (VG-8)
Fine (F-12)
Very Fine (VF-20)
Extremely Fine (XF-40)$482,981
About Uncirculated (AU-50)$813,333
Mint State (MS-63, uncirculated)$2,469,065

The Denver strike of the 1943 bronze error. Single-digit survivors; auction-record material.

See the full page for this coin (mintage, how to identify it, where to sell)

How to confirm it's genuine

  • The mint mark sits directly below the date — it should be the letter "D". A magnifier with light at a 45° angle works best.
  • Never clean the coin: cleaning destroys the original surface and can cut the value in half.
  • 1943 self-test: if a magnet sticks, it's a normal steel cent. If it doesn't stick, you may have the rare bronze error — get it professionally authenticated immediately.
  • For any coin worth more than $200, PCGS/NGC grading fees (~$20–50) are money well spent.

Where to sell this coin

  • eBay works best in the $1.00$200 range. Take clear photos of both sides in natural light, and put the year, mint mark, and approximate grade in the title.
  • A local coin dealer is the fastest way to cash out, but expect 60–70% of guide prices. Best for selling common dates in bulk.
  • Graded high-value coins do best at auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack's Bowers, where realized prices are public.

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