How can you tell if your 1943 zinc penny is valuable?

Answer 1

You need to know its mint mark and condition. There are lots of web sites where you can look up coin values. However if the coin has been "reprocessed" (cleaned and replated), which was common in the 1950s and 60s, it's considered altered and is worth keeping only as a curiosity piece.

Answer 2

In general, a so-called "reprocessed" steel cent will still be very shiny even though it's been exposed to the atmosphere. A genuine zinc-coated steel cent will be somewhat dull in sheen unless it's been preserved in uncirculated condition.

More importantly, most reprocessed cents came from circulation so the design will exhibit wear despite being shiny and new-looking at first glance. The dies used to strike steel cents were specially hardened so uncirculated (or moderately circulated) coins will have very sharp and well-defined features.

Answer 3

if the 1943 sticks to a magnet, and its brown from copper, then its counterfeit. If it doesn't, it also could be a counterfeit. if you look closely at the date, it could be 1948 with half of 8 carved out. If it doesn't look like that, then it is a error coin and is worth around $20,000

Answer 4

$1.75 to $6.25 in average circulated condition.

Answer 5

If it sticks to a magnet then it is not copper. If it does not stick to a magnet then take it to a collector to be evaluated. It could be worth a lot of money.