The change was unpopular at the time, as the coins were often mistaken for dimes. They would besides be caught by magnets in vending machines meant to catch steel slugs, which made them much less useful than convention cents .
additionally, the thin layer of zinc covering the coins ’ surfaces only protected the obverse and revoke, not the border. This mean that the coins would easily rust in circulation due to contamination from dirty fingers.
1943 Steel Cent, graded NGC MS 66
evening though the “ Steelie ” was not popular at the time, today the sword cent is prized by collectors. The mint above is an excellent example of how beautiful the steel cents can be when by rights preserved. Make limited notice of the fine die-flow lines radiating outwards on both the obverse and reverse. These lines are attest of an original, unaltered surface. While this coin is 100 % original, there is, unfortunately, an extremely common revision that is seen on steel cents. This alteration is known as reprocessing .
“Reprocessed” 1943-D Lincoln Cent
Compare the photos above to that of the NGC MS 66 at the begin of this article. The 1943-D firearm above has been reprocessed in an try to make the coin appear better than it actually is. This revision involves the removal of the slender level of zinc from the steel and then re-plating the result .
Because the plate has been re-added well after the original strike of the coin, a lot of the small details like die run lines and luster are lost. Note the difference between the luster on the two coins. The Philadelphia objet d’art appears very bright and original, while the recycle Denver coin looks dead and lifeless .
NGC does not certify recycle 1943 cents due to the interpolate surfaces. This is one of the dozens of reasons NGC will not certify a coin ; see a comprehensive number here .
“Reprocessed” 1943-S Lincoln Cent
The change 1943 cents are often marketed to non-coin collectors, indeed coin doctors will frequently try to make the coins arsenic glazed as possible. These don ’ triiodothyronine look anything like what a genuine coin should look like, even a Prooflike ( PL ) one. These are very slowly to spot, as the surfaces will be highly reflective, evening covering the devices like the flop and motto. This is very different from a genuine Prooflike model like the one below .
Prooflike examples of steel cents are few and far between, and therefore much carry a brawny premium, so it is important to know what a genuine one should look like. As opposed to the odd, speckled look of the alter mint, the above 1943-S Prooflike example has much more even surfaces. As was the case with the normal Mint State coin, you can see all of the die flow lines, vitamin a well as die polish lines ( which cause the PL surfaces in the first identify. )
unfortunately, NGC graders see many numerous steel cents with altered surfaces. Collectors who know what to look for can screen out these coins before purchasing them. As constantly, every coin graded by NGC is guaranteed to be authentic and unaltered .
Did you know? NGC has created a comprehensive Counterfeit Detection resource to help collectors and dealers identify counterfeit and change coins. Visit NGCcoin.com/counterfeit .
