1943 bronze cents

[RWB]

Among several ways to authenticate a1943 bronze cent is by alloy. Beginning in May 1941, all U.S. Mints began using only a tract of tin in their cent alloy. Thus a genuine 1943 bronze cent from any mint almost certainly will have an alloy of about 95% copper, 4+% zinc, and 1-% tin. There is no exact tin percentage - HQ instructions were "enough to detect" so that the coins complied with law.

 

This came to mind while looking at a "1943-S copper" cent post ATS...or STA...or....?

[Mr.Mcknowitall]

The "e" is 2 spaces to the left of the "t". No, no, no, your other left......

[thebeav]

When I had a shop, I used to dream about a hand-held x-ray spectrometer. But their price, at the South side of 5 figures, always discouraged me. There just wasn't enough 'mystery scrap' to justify that. What a fun item though......

 

Paul

[DWLange]

The elimination of tin altogether was authorized early in 1942, though the existing stock of planchets lasted for a few months. 1943 bronze cents should have none at all, at least in theory.

[RWB]

Tin was maintained as "enough to detect" throughout the war years, then increased slightly in 1949 and 1950, depending on mint. Some 1941-1945 assays showed tin and others did not. The point is that if a 1943 bronze cent has more than a trace of tin, it is more likely to be a false coin.