Quarter on Steel Cent Planchet Goes to Auction

An error coin, a 1943 Washington quarter struck on a steel cent planchet, is being offered for the first time in 80 years in a GreatCollections auction March 19.

The coin was discovered by the consignor’s father during World War II. As a finance officer for the U.S. Army, one of his responsibilities was to pay soldiers, many of whom requested to be paid in cash. While counting through bags of steel cents received from the U.S. Mint, this coin stood out as it could not be rolled or stacked like the others. He set it aside.

Almost 50 years later, his son arranged to have the coin graded and authenticated by ANACS, where it was confirmed as being a 1943 Washington quarter struck on a 1943 Lincoln steel cent planchet. Thirty more years have passed and it is now being offered for sale in an unreserved auction. After starting at $1, bidding quickly moved to $2,350, with 27 bids being recorded at the time of this writing.

“Errors on steel cents are highly sought after, and this one encompasses two of the most popular series in U.S. numismatics –Lincoln cents and Washington quarters,” said Ian Russell, president and co-founder of GreatCollections. “It is one of only a few known quarters struck on steel cent planchets, and we expect significant bidding interest before it sells on March 19.”

Lincoln cents have been in the spotlight lately, with GreatCollections auctioning the finest collection ever formed for a record $7.7 million, including a rare 1958 doubled die Lincoln cent variety that realized $1.136 million.

The March auction will also feature the RL Collection of Key Date Lincoln Cents.

The error was set to be on view at the American Numismatic Association’s National Money Show March 2-4 in Phoenix, Ariz., as well as the Baltimore Spring Coin Show & Expo March 15-18 and at the GreatCollections Irvine, Calif., office by appointment. To view the auction, visit www.greatcollections.com.