The $82,500 Penny! (SunShine Challenge)

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Irie
Senior Member

since 1999-12-01

Posts 1493
Washington State

0 posted 2002-09-27 02:59 PM

SunShine gave me a challenge to write something about a penny!
So, here it is ...

The Nineteen Forty Three Penny
Holds a value to many unknown
Even I was shocked to learn
Purchasing would require a loan~
Events caused by Allied War Efforts
No more penny’s to be made of copper
Never again to be the same
Yet several made it out of the hopper~
Forty are left in existence, they believe
And of copper they were created
Coins that should have been steel
That are now grossly inflated ~

quote:
According to the American Numismatic Association, the 1943 copper-alloy cent is one of the most idealized and potentially one of the most sought-after items in American numismatics.  Nearly all circulating pennies at that time were struck in zinc-coated steel because copper and nickel were needed for the Allied war effort.

40 1943 copper-alloy cents are known to remain in existence.  Coin experts speculate that they were struck by accident when copper-alloy 1-cent blanks remained in the press hopper when production began on the new steel pennies.

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.

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, 1948, and 1949 pennies.

The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet.  If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper.  If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.

So, on that note....check every penny you see!
And how many pennies have I passed by on the ground
and thought it wasn't worth picking up? Sheeesh!

~Sheri

"Don't wait for your ship to come in ...
Swim out to it"

[This message has been edited by Irie (09-27-2002 05:55 PM).]

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

1 posted 2002-09-27 03:05 PM

(smiles) Wow!!! Oh my gosh, you have taught me so much today, this is so cool! (kiss on cheek) You have outdone yourself on this wonderful challenge, now it is time for me to investigate the barrel of pennies in my grandpa's toolshed, hehehe! I am adding this poem to my library because it is just as geniune and wonderful as a 1943 copper coin, yay, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sheri, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

[This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (09-27-2002 03:07 PM).]

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

2 posted 2002-09-27 03:06 PM

Darn, too bad I got rid of that jar of pennies!
A good challenge response for your money muse.

Krishankins

Senior Member

since 2002-06-23

Posts 972
Texas

3 posted 2002-09-27 05:24 PM

Nicely done, Irie!! Not only entertaining, but educational also!!! That's something not easily done!! I applaud your effort and result!

Kris

Hey dog, did you see the size of that chicken!?

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

4 posted 2002-09-28 04:02 AM

Just the other day someone gave me a penny for my thoughts in jest. I should have looked closer instead of saying you don't want to know. Enjoyed this little bit of history you wrote.

brian madden
Member Elite

since 2000-05-06

Posts 4374
ireland

5 posted 2002-09-28 08:01 AM

now I know what to leave the grandkids in my will, pennies. LOL Challenge wonderfully met.

Too early for the rainbow, too early for the dove These are the final days, this is the darkness, this is the flood
L cohen

Temptress

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-06-15

Posts 7136
Mobile, AL

6 posted 2002-09-28 09:48 AM

I think this turned out wonderfully. Its cool to see a poem about a very different subject.

Its good to see you around here more often.

*Jenn*

"two hearts will build the foundation for one point of light
a duet done with passion"

excerpt from "I Love You"

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-09-23

Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown

7 posted 2002-09-28 09:59 AM

This is a wonderful poem! And, very informative, too.

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

8 posted 2002-09-30 09:21 AM

This was a neat read! Loved your poem and learned a few things while I was at it!

I suppose if someone were to offer me a 1943 penny for my thoughts, I should take it! ---and be very flattered! hehe

~ Enjoy your day! ~

EA

T
Member

since 2000-04-27

Posts 107
USA

9 posted 2002-09-30 09:29 AM

Very cool poem. Neat Idea. Looks like I'll be spending some time going through all the old pennys. T.

Moonlight Romeo

Senior Member

since 2001-09-10

Posts 982
The heart of you

10 posted 2002-09-30 09:37 AM

This gives new meaning to the phrase, "Penny for your thoughts."

Thank you.

What light through yon window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

11 posted 2002-09-30 09:44 AM

Thank you Irie! I think!

I'm one of those folks that have three wine jugs of pennies in the bedroom corner, (and no, people, I am NOT that cheap a date!

)

But truly, I didn't know this--and I hang out with coin collectors, card collectors, memorablia collectors, dust collectors, is what I call 'em all!

Now I can mention something that makes me look like I've been paying attention!

Irie
Senior Member

since 1999-12-01

Posts 1493
Washington State

12 posted 2002-09-30 01:16 PM

I am SO glad all of you enjoyed and/or learned something
from this. I was sure surprised when I found this information.
I have to say thank you to SunShine for guiding me to this.

I sure look at the penny in a new light!

~Sheri

"Don't wait for your ship to come in ...
Swim out to it"

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

13 posted 2002-09-30 03:22 PM

Well now, and there you have it, never tell this girl you'll give her a penny for her thoughts, she's liable to give it back to you if it isn't a 1943 copper changemaker...

I'm very proud of you, Irie - I had no idea if you would use this or what would come of it should you use it, but you know I'm smiling a mint here...

Irie
Senior Member

since 1999-12-01

Posts 1493
Washington State

14 posted 2002-09-30 03:33 PM

Thank you so much Sunshine, for the compliments and the challenge!
I was tempted to write what was "opposite" of that challenge, (if you know what I mean),
but it scared me! LOL

Many thanks to you again.

~Sheri

"Don't wait for your ship to come in ...
Swim out to it"

[This message has been edited by Irie (09-30-2002 03:33 PM).]

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