The 1943 steel cent, also known as a steel war penny or steelie, was a variety of the U.S. one-cent coin which was struck in steel due to wartime shortages of copper, which was needed for ammunition and other military equipment during World War II. To commemorate this special wartime penny, the Merrick Mint has released a non-monetary tribute that combines the design of the legendary ‘1943 Lincoln Penny’ on the obverse with the design the famous ‘Lincoln Memorial Penny’ on the reverse. The coin is commemoratively dated 1943, with the inscription WWII added above the date. This first time release tribute World War II Penny is over three-quarters of an inch in size and almost double the thickness of its circulating counterpart. This non-monetary issue is only available through this special private minting and fully clad in Genuine .999 Fine Silver. The 1943 steel cent, also known as a steel war penny or steelie, was a variety of the U.S. one-cent coin which was struck in steel due to wartime shortages of copper, which was needed for ammunition and other military equipment during World War II. To commemorate this special wartime penny, the Merrick Mint has released a non-monetary tribute that combines the design of the legendary ‘1943 Lincoln Penny’ on the obverse with the design the famous ‘Lincoln Memorial Penny’ on the reverse. The coin is commemoratively dated 1943, with the inscription WWII added above the date. This first time release tribute World War II Penny is over three-quarters of an inch in size and almost double the thickness of its circulating counterpart. This non-monetary issue is only available through this special private minting and fully clad in Genuine .999 Fine Silver.