1944 Wheat Penny Weird Color - WWII Era 1944 US Cent - WW2 Wheat Penny - 1944 Wheat Back Lincoln Penny

This listing is for the photographed 1944 Wheat Penny Weird Color. Odd color.

Changes to the penny were implemented as a wartime effort. As copper was in high demand, steel was substituted for copper in 1943 during the second world war. On December 18th 1942, Congress Officially approved the treasury departments new plan for the cent (picture 3). The authorization actually extended through the end of 1946, but enough copper was saved that production of the steel cent halted in December 1943. Nickel was also in high demand, and nickels were changed to silver and copper in the same year.

The copper released for the war effort was enough to meet the combined needs of 2 cruisers, 2 destroyers, 1,243 flying fortresses, 120 field guns and 120 howitzers, or enough for 1.25 million shells for our big field guns.

Secretly, the treasury department started gathering these pennies in 1944 and destroying them. For fear of the public hording the pennies, they did not admit to the collection and destruction of the coins until 1959.

There are a very small number of pennies produced in 1943 that are copper, and a few produced in 1944 that are steel. If you have or find one of these, hold on to it as it is a very rare item!!!

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1944 Wheat Penny Weird Color - WWII Era 1944 US Cent - WW2 Wheat Penny - 1944 Wheat Back Lincoln Penny