What to do with a 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent 0

[WillieRides57]

I'm really here to ask for advise on how to handle a special coin we came across while going through my wife's grandfathers' collection.

1943-S Lincoln Wheat Cent that meets the following criteria:

1. Copper that does not have a steel core.
2. Weighs 3.10 grams.
3. The "3" has the correct tail, pointing down towards the 7 o'clock position.

Any help regarding the proper way to get this graded while maintaining a high level of security?

 

Thanks in advance,

Bill

[RWB]

Welcome.

First, post sharp photos of both sides of the coin. That will allow members to offer opinions on your "1943-S" cent.

A few copper (really brass) alloy cents were unintentionally made at San Francisco in 1943. However, a great many counterfeits have also been made and the likelihood of having a fake is much greater than finding an authentic piece.

After collecting opinions of experienced collectors, you next option is to send the coin to NGC for authentication and grading. Until that is done, your coin is assumed to be counterfeit.

[VKurtB]

Odds of being the real deal? Worse than 10,000:1. 

[Greenstang]

Welcome to the Forum
As RBW stated, there are probably thousands of counterfeits out there.

A clear photo of both sides will tell if it is genuine or not.

[Coinbuf]

Agree with what has been said, high chance of a counterfeit, if you can post clear in focus photos of each side it should be easy to determine.

[JT2]

On 4/12/2022 at 12:26 PM, VKurtB said:

Odds of being the real deal

I think i just on the power ball!!

[VKurtB]

On 4/12/2022 at 1:32 PM, JT2 said:

I think i just on the power ball!!

We don’t even have that, or Mega Millions for that matter, in my state. No gambling whatsoever here. (We also don’t have ‘optional’ mail-in ballots either. You have to have a valid reason, Yes, even during peak COVID.)

Edited April 12, 2022 by VKurtB

[WillieRides57]

Thank you all for your comments and advise.  I did some research and do know there were only 40-50 of these produced, so chances this is the real deal are long odds. 

[RWB]

FYI - The general view is that 1942 brass planchets got stuck in the large hoppers used to move planchets around at all three mints. As zinc coated steel planchets were poured in and the hoppers moved about, the brass leftovers dislodged and got struck as 1943 brass cents. However, in San Francisco the need for workers was so great that high school boys were hired during summer break. One of the boys claimed that he and others tossed some brass planchets they found into the hoppers "just for fun." This is the only instance where there is any indication of deliberate, though unofficial, actions.

[RWB]

PS: I use the term "brass" for the cents because the alloy was 95% copper and slightly under 5% zinc with only a detectable trace of tin. "Bronze" contains several percent each of tin and zinc, plus the copper.

[VKurtB]

On 4/13/2022 at 9:02 AM, RWB said:

PS: I use the term "brass" for the cents because the alloy was 95% copper and slightly under 5% zinc with only a detectable trace of tin. "Bronze" contains several percent each of tin and zinc, plus the copper.

Correct usage. 

[WillieRides57]

On 4/12/2022 at 9:55 AM, Coinbuf said:

Agree with what has been said, high chance of a counterfeit, if you can post clear in focus photos of each side it should be easy to determine.

 

On 4/13/2022 at 6:53 AM, RWB said:

FYI - The general view is that 1942 brass planchets got stuck in the large hoppers used to move planchets around at all three mints. As zinc coated steel planchets were poured in and the hoppers moved about, the brass leftovers dislodged and got struck as 1943 brass cents. However, in San Francisco the need for workers was so great that high school boys were hired during summer break. One of the boys claimed that he and others tossed some brass planchets they found into the hoppers "just for fun." This is the only instance where there is any indication of deliberate, though unofficial, actions.

 This coin was indeed a great attempt at legitimacy, but a local PCGS-certified numismatist showed us why this was a fake.  

[WillieRides57]

On 4/14/2022 at 6:31 AM, WillieRides57 said:

 

 This coin was indeed a great attempt at legitimacy, but a local PCGS-certified numismatist showed us why this was a fake.  

[RWB]

Glad you got an honest opinion. Consider that coin dealer next time you want to buy a coin.

Thanks for posting the photo. Yes, it's an obvious counterfeit -- about the only thing correct is that it's circular.