1944 Steel Penny Value: The Rare Flip Side of 1943
A normal 1944 penny is copper and worth a few cents. A 1944 penny struck on a leftover steel blank is a rare error worth about $31,000 in Extremely Fine for a Philadelphia coin, and far more for the few from San Francisco. If your 1944 penny does not stick to a magnet, it is the normal copper coin.
- Normal 1944
- Back to a copper alloy after the steel year. Weighs 3.11 grams. Does not stick to a magnet.
- The error
- A small number of 1944 cents were struck on steel blanks left over from 1943.
- Weight
- A steel cent weighs about 2.70 grams.
Value by grade
| Coin | Value |
|---|---|
| Normal 1944 copper cent, circulated | A few cents (common 1940s wheat cents run about $0.06 to $0.43 in Fine to About Uncirculated) |
| 1944 steel cent error (no mint mark), EF40 | $30,940 |
| 1944-D steel cent error, EF40 | $37,269 |
| 1944-S steel cent error, EF40 (only 2 known) | $438,303 |
Retail values from USA Coin Book. Values checked Oct 8, 2026.
What to look for
- Magnet test. A 1944 that sticks deserves a closer look. A 1944 that does not stick is normal.
- Weigh it. About 2.70 grams suggests steel.
- Check the date for tooling. Some fakes are 1943 steel cents with the 3 altered to a 4.
Fakes and lookalikes
- Altered 1943 steel cents are the main fake. Compare the last 4 to the first 4 under magnification. They should match.
- Any 1944 steel cent should be certified by PCGS or NGC before you sell or buy.
Find the keepers in your coin jar
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FAQ
Is a 1944 penny steel?
Almost never. The Mint went back to a copper alloy in 1944. Steel 1944 cents are rare errors.
What is a 1944 copper penny worth?
A few cents in circulated condition, like most 1940s wheat pennies.
What should I do if my 1944 penny sticks to a magnet?
Weigh it, check the date for tooling, and send it to PCGS or NGC if it passes. Do not clean it.
Related coins
Sources
Values are retail estimates or recorded sale prices from the sources above, checked Oct 8, 2026. What a dealer pays you is usually less than retail.
Also available as Markdown.