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- The 1943 copper-alloy cent is one of the most idealized and sought-after items in numismatics, as all circulating pennies at that time were struck in zinc-coated steel because copper was needed for the Allied war effort.
- About 12 examples are known to have been struck by the Mint, evidently by accident, when copper-alloy 1-cent blanks remained in the press hopper when production began on the new steel pennies.
- One of the first 1943 copper cents to surface was found in change in 1947. Another find was reported that year in the June issue of the American Numismatic Association's (ANA) monthly journal, The Numismatist.
- In 1947 the acting superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint, Edwin H. Dressel, indicated to an inquiring collector that the Mint did not strike any copper pennies in 1943.
- 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. (Revision: The highest amount paid was $112,500 on December 22, 1999.)
- Because of its collector value, the 1943 copper cent has been counterfeited by coating steel cents with copper or by altering the dates of 1945, '48 and '49 pennies.
- ANA numismatists say the easiest way to determine if a 1943 copper cent is genuine is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not authentic. If it does not stick, the coin could be genuine and should be authenticated by an expert.