1943-S Lincoln Steel Wheat Cent Rusted

Updated September 4, 2026

A 1943-S Lincoln wheat cent on zinc-plated steel, in a stapled 2x2 flip marked 1943 S and STeeL. The mint mark was confirmed at magnification as an S, a small S-curve with no straight upright, clearly different from the D on the other steel cents in this consignment. Rust must be disclosed and there is a lot of it. Numerous rust-orange to red-brown spots cover the obverse, with a cluster above the head near WE, a group on the jaw and neck, several down the coat and more at the lower left. The reverse has a rust spot in ONE, another below CENT and dark specks near the bottom rim. The base surface is gray to gray-green with the plating largely gone, dull and slightly porous with a faint greenish tint. Design detail is essentially full, so this is corrosion and not wear. San Francisco struck about 191 million steel cents in 1943, the smallest of the three mints, but the combined total passed one billion, so even the S is among the most common United States coins in existence. Estimated Value: $0.25 to $1. Sold as-is. Photos are the most accurate description of this lot. Written descriptions are a guide only and may contain errors. Please review all photos before bidding.

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