How to tell a fake from real 1943 penny

[WaterScoop]

My father in law has this coin. I took this photo.
From what I can tell the 3 looks legit.

Your thoughts. Thank you for your time

 

[xr7ator]

If it is a real copper 1943, send it in for certification! If it's not real, they won't slab it.
If those dark spots are steel coming through the copper plate.....idk.

 

[GB1]

take a magnet to it

 

[WaterScoop]

take a magnet to it

Failed the magnet test. It sure was a fun few hours before I got close to a magnet.

 

[WaterScoop]

Thank you for your help!

 

[bradyboy]

Just asking -
Why would one try to fake this coin?

 

[jewelerguy]

Just asking -
Why would one try to fake this coin?

the '43 pennies were made from steel because the copper was needed for the war effort. Only a few were ever made of copper. By plating it in copper, a con artist could pass it off as real and make a lot of money from an uninformed buyer. A genuine '43 copper penny is worth thousands of dollars