Composition: Copper
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19.05 millimeters
Thickness: 1.52 millimeters
The 1946 Lincoln penny was minted during a period of transition for the United States Mint. The mint had just switched from producing steel cents during World War II back to producing copper cents. As a result, there are a few different varieties of the 1946 Lincoln penny, each with its own unique characteristics.
Normal 1946 Penny
The most common variety of the 1946 Lincoln penny has a normal copper-brown color. The face of the coin features the familiar profile of President Abraham Lincoln, while the reverse of the coin features a depiction of the Union Shield, which is surrounded by the words "E Pluribus Unum" (out of many, one) and "One Cent United States of America."
Steel 1946 Penny
In addition to the normal copper-brown variety, there is also a steel 1946 Lincoln penny. This coin was produced in limited quantities as a temporary measure to conserve copper during World War II. Steel 1946 pennies are silver in color and have a slightly different composition than the copper pennies.
Overstruck 1946 Penny
Another interesting variety of the 1946 Lincoln penny is the overstruck penny. This coin was created when a new penny was accidentally stamped on top of an older penny. This can happen when a penny is left in the coining press for too long, or when a penny is accidentally fed into the press twice. Overstruck 1946 pennies are often difficult to identify, but they can be very valuable to coin collectors.
Value of 1946 Pennies
The value of a 1946 Lincoln penny depends on the variety of the coin and its condition. Normal 1946 pennies are worth a few cents each, while steel 1946 pennies can be worth several dollars. Overstruck 1946 pennies can be worth even more, depending on their condition and rarity.
Overall, the 1946 Lincoln penny is a relatively common coin, but there are some rare and valuable varieties that exist. If you have a 1946 Lincoln penny in your collection, it's worth taking a closer look to see if it might be one of these valuable varieties.