<P> 1943 steel cents are U.S. one - cent coins that were struck in steel due to wartime shortages of copper . The Philadelphia , Denver , and San Francisco mints each produced these 1943 Lincoln cents . The unique composition of the coin ( low - grade steel coated with zinc , instead of the previously 95 % - copper - based bronze composition ) has led to various nicknames , such as wartime cent , steel war penny , and steelie . The 1943 steel cent features the same Victor David Brenner design for the Lincoln cent which had been in use since 1909 . </P>
<P> 1943 steel cents are U.S. one - cent coins that were struck in steel due to wartime shortages of copper . The Philadelphia , Denver , and San Francisco mints each produced these 1943 Lincoln cents . The unique composition of the coin ( low - grade steel coated with zinc , instead of the previously 95 % - copper - based bronze composition ) has led to various nicknames , such as wartime cent , steel war penny , and steelie . The 1943 steel cent features the same Victor David Brenner design for the Lincoln cent which had been in use since 1909 . </P>
what were pennies made of during world war 2
what were pennies made of during world war 2
low - grade steel coated with zinc
low - grade steel coated with zinc