1943 One Cent 1 1

[Ron010101]

I got a friend with many antique coins, one of them seem to be a rare 1943 even with a huge magnet as one of the test didn't move. Can anyone help me to investigate little deeper to see if it's rare, here are two images.

[Mr.Bill347]

I hope you have weighed it and concur that it is 3.11 grams. You stated that it was non-magnetic, the numeral 3 looks correct as does the VDB on the reverse. You need to get it authenticated either by a reputable ANA coin dealer or by a third party grading service such as PCGS,NGC or CAC.

Approximately 40 1943 copper–alloy cents are known to remain in existence. Coin experts speculate that they were struck by accident when copper–alloy 1–cent blanks remained in the press hopper when production began on the new steel pennies.

A 1943 copper cent was first offered for sale in 1958, bringing more than $40,000. A subsequent piece sold for $10,000 at an ANA convention in 1981. The highest amount paid for a 1943 copper cent was $82,500 in 1996.

• 1943 copper pennies are nonmagnetic
• 1943 copper pennies weigh 3.11 grams!
• the 3 of the date of 1943 copper penny will be identical to the 3 on a steel cent
• the strike quality of all genuine 1943 copper pennies is sharp, with clear designer’s initials and raised rims. These details can be muted on worn coins, however. 

[Sandon]

    It is extremely unlikely that you have a genuine 1943 "copper" cent.  Numerous counterfeits have been made, especially in recent decades. The corrosion and roughness and the weakness in the reverse wheat lines of this piece are not encouraging. As it would be a very expensive proposition to submit this coin to a third-party grading service, I would first seek opinions from reputable coin dealers in your area, such as members of the Professional Numismatists Guild, https://www.pngdealers.org/af_memberDirectory_Custom.asp.

@Mr.Bill347--The "V.D.B." designer's initials are on the obverse, at the truncation of Lincoln's bust, not on the reverse, on all Lincoln cents dated 1918 and later. Only some 1909 issues have the "V.D.B." on the reverse!