Bruce Maag is a respected psychologist who guided the creation of one of Ohio’s first first foster care agencies. Bruce Maag has a longstanding interest in collecting American currency and coins. One of the most sought after issues of the 21st century is a World War Two-era issue of the Lincoln penny.
Occurring at the outset of a new era of steel pennies, only 40 of the 1943 copper-alloy wheat penny were produced. A leftover roll of copper-alloy blanks was likely left in the press hopper and the coins made it into circulation undetected. The error was ultimately discovered following the war and sparked a “treasure hunt” among collectors for this rare issue.
Up to the present, only a dozen of the coin have been found. Valued at between $60,000 and $80,000, the penny is recognizable because it does not stick to magnets as steel coins do. Unfortunately, this has led to a number of counterfeits, as unscrupulous collectors coat the regular steel 1943 pennies with copper or alter similar dates such as 1948.
Occurring at the outset of a new era of steel pennies, only 40 of the 1943 copper-alloy wheat penny were produced. A leftover roll of copper-alloy blanks was likely left in the press hopper and the coins made it into circulation undetected. The error was ultimately discovered following the war and sparked a “treasure hunt” among collectors for this rare issue.
Up to the present, only a dozen of the coin have been found. Valued at between $60,000 and $80,000, the penny is recognizable because it does not stick to magnets as steel coins do. Unfortunately, this has led to a number of counterfeits, as unscrupulous collectors coat the regular steel 1943 pennies with copper or alter similar dates such as 1948.