Check the Date and Metal – Date must be 1943 – Most 1943 pennies are silver-colored (steel). A genuine copper one will appear brown or reddish like a typical pre-1943 penny.
Use a Magnet – Steel pennies stick to magnets – copper ones do not. – If your 1943 penny does NOT stick, it could be copper (or a fake).
Weight Test – A copper penny weighs 3.11 gram – A steel penny weighs 2.7 gram – Use a precise digital scale to weigh it.
Look at the Surface – A 1943 copper penny should have a normal copper sheen, not silver or gray. – Watch for signs of plating or tampering (e.g., steel pennies coated in copper).
Inspect the Mint Mark – These can come from Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), or San Francisco (S). – All versions are rare, but some mint marks are more valuable.
Get Professional Authentication – Submit the coin to a certified grading service like PCGS or NGC. – A professional appraisal is critical to confirm authenticity and value.