Rare First World War 2 Coin

Okay, grab your coffee and pull up a chair, because I have to tell you about something that absolutely broke my brain this week. You know how we all have that one friend who finds the weirdest stuff at garage sales? Well, imagine them finding a coin that’s not just rare, but mysterious—and from World War 2, no less. I’m talking about a coin so obscure, most history buffs have never even heard of it.

Let’s set the stage. World War 2 was a mess of chaos, metal shortages, and desperate governments. Did you know that some countries literally melted down their own coins to make bullets and tanks? It’s true. So when a coin survives from that period—especially one that wasn’t supposed to exist—it’s like finding a needle in a haystack that’s on fire.

So, what’s this rare coin we’re gossiping about?

It’s the 1943 Lincoln wheat penny made of copper. Yes, a penny. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. In 1943, the U.S. Mint was ordered to stop using copper for pennies because we needed that metal for the war effort. Instead, they used steel coated with zinc. Millions of those steel ones were made. But a handful—like, a tiny, bathtub-sized handful—were accidentally struck in leftover copper blanks from 1942.

Why? Because the Mint is run by humans, and humans make mistakes. Clumsy? Absolutely. But those mistakes are now worth a small fortune. One of these copper pennies sold for over $1.7 million at auction. I know, right? That’s the kind of money you’d need to buy a yacht named “Oops.”

But wait—it gets weirder.

There’s also the 1944 steel penny. That’s the exact opposite mistake. In 1944, the Mint went back to using copper. But a few steel planchets from 1943 were still lying around (probably in a dusty bin labeled “whoops”). Some of those got stamped with the 1944 date. Now, you’ve got a steel coin from a year that should have only made copper ones. Talk about a wardrobe malfunction for coins.

How rare are these? Less than 20 confirmed examples of the 1943 copper penny exist. Twenty! That’s fewer than the number of people who can name all seven dwarfs from memory. (Actually, I can’t either, but that’s beside the point.)

Now, let’s talk about the World War 2 coins outside the U.S. Because the war touched everyone, and every country has its own weird little coin story. Take the Nazi occupation coins of countries like Belgium or France. They made coins out of zinc and aluminum—materials that fall apart if you sneeze on them. A well-preserved one? That’s like finding a snowflake in July.

But my personal favorite? The 1948 Palestine 100 Mils coin. Wait—that’s after WW2, right? Let me explain. Some coins minted right after the war still used leftover dies or metals from the war period. This one was struck in a mix of copper and nickel, but it was also overstruck on an older coin from the British mandate. It’s messy, it’s complicated, and it’s worth a lot because collectors love a good drama.

How do you even spot one of these in the wild?

First, look at the date. For a 1943 copper penny, you need to check the color. Steel ones are grayish; copper ones are, well, copper-colored. But be careful: people have been faking these for decades. Like, since the 1950s. There are counterfeit 1943 copper pennies that are actually steel ones plated with copper. Sneaky, right?

The real test? Use a magnet. Steel sticks. Copper doesn’t. If it sticks, it’s worth about a nickel. If it doesn’t stick—and you’re not just holding a common 1942 penny someone damaged—you might have a retirement fund in your hand. No pressure.

Also, check the weight. The real deal weighs 3.11 grams, same as a normal copper penny. Steel ones are lighter, around 2.7 grams. So if you’ve got a kitchen scale and a dream, go for it.

Why are people so crazy about these coins?

Because they’re tiny time capsules. Each one holds a story of a world at war, of factories running triple shifts, of secret errors hidden in plain sight. Imagine the clatter of the coining press in 1943. Some worker was probably half asleep, and accidentally dropped a copper blank into the hopper. That mistake, that sleepy Tuesday, is now a piece of history worth a mansion.

And let’s be honest—there’s a thrill in the hunt. You could be at a flea market, buying a dusty shoebox of old coins, and pull one of these out. The seller thinks it’s just a penny. You know it’s a unicorn. That’s the kind of plot twist I live for.

So, should you start checking your pocket change?

Absolutely. But don’t hold your breath. Most of these rare coins are already in collections or museums. However, people have found them in old piggy banks, attic jars, and even as part of a weird inheritance from “Uncle Frank who hoarded everything.” It could happen to you.

But here’s the kicker: even if you never find a rare WW2 coin, the search itself is fun. You start appreciating the little things—the scratches, the wear, the weird designs. Suddenly, every coin in your hand has a secret. And isn’t that better than a boring old quarter?

So next time you get change at a coffee shop, don’t just pocket it. Look at the date. 1943? Check the color. 1944? Give it a magnet test. Worst case? You have a normal penny. Best case? You’re now a millionaire who also has a very cool story to tell over coffee.

Go on. I’ll wait.