The 1944 Steel Wheat Penny is one of the rarest and most fascinating coins in U.S. history.
During World War II, in 1943, pennies were made from zinc-coated steel instead of copper, which was reserved for war materials.
In 1944, the U.S. Mint returned to using copper—but a few steel planchets from 1943 mistakenly remained in the machines.
As a result, an extremely limited number of 1944 pennies were struck in steel instead of copper, making them rare minting errors.
Experts believe that only 30 to 50 of these steel 1944 pennies exist today. Most were likely struck at the Philadelphia Mint, but versions from Denver (marked “D”) and San Francisco (“S”) are even rarer.
A genuine 1944 steel penny in top condition can sell for $75,000 to over $100,000 at auction. But beware—many counterfeits exist, so authentication by a trusted numismatic expert is essential.
This accidental masterpiece remains a prized find for collectors and a stunning reminder of America's wartime economy.