1943-S 青銅林肯美分：美國錢幣史上的驚人異常

1943 年的青銅林肯美分硬幣是美國錢幣史上的一個驚人的異類，其迷人的背景故事繼續吸引收藏家。

The 1943-S bronze Lincoln cent is a stunning anomaly in American numismatic history, with a fascinating backstory that continues to captivate collectors. Its rarity and the legendary tales surrounding its discovery make it one of the most highly sought-after coins in the world. Known for its unique composition and historical significance, this coin stands out in the world of numismatics, with one example having sold for a staggering $504,000.

1943 年的青銅林肯美分硬幣是美國錢幣史上的一個驚人的異類，其迷人的背景故事繼續吸引收藏家。它的稀有性和圍繞其發現的傳奇故事使其成為世界上最受歡迎的硬幣之一。這枚硬幣以其獨特的成分和歷史意義而聞名，在錢幣學界中脫穎而出，其中一枚的售價高達 504,000 美元。

Historical Context: The Impact of World War II

歷史背景：第二次世界大戰的影響

During World War II, copper became an essential resource for the war effort, used primarily in munitions and communication equipment. As a result, the U.S. Treasury Department ordered that the 1943 Lincoln cents be struck using zinc-coated steel planchets instead of the usual bronze composition. This change was designed to conserve copper for more critical military purposes.

第二次世界大戰期間，銅成為戰爭的重要資源，主要用於彈藥和通訊設備。因此，美國財政部下令使用鍍鋅鋼坯鑄造 1943 年林肯美分，而不是通常的青銅成分。這項變更旨在節省銅用於更關鍵的軍事用途。

The U.S. Mint produced over a billion steel pennies that year, with the San Francisco Mint alone striking more than 191 million of these steel cents. However, an interesting mistake occurred—some bronze planchets, originally meant for 1942 production, remained in the Mint’s supply bins. These planchets were mixed with the steel planchets and struck as 1943-dated coins, leading to the accidental creation of the famous 1943 bronze cents.

美國鑄幣廠當年生產了超過 10 億枚鋼製美分，光是舊金山造幣廠就鑄造了超過 1.91 億枚鋼製美分。然而，一個有趣的錯誤發生了——一些原本打算在 1942 年生產的青銅板坯仍然留在造幣廠的供應箱中。這些錢幣與鋼幣混合在一起鑄造成 1943 年的硬幣，從而意外地創造出了著名的 1943 年青銅美分。

The Discovery of the 1943-S Bronze Cent

1943-S 青銅美分的發現

The discovery of the 1943-S bronze Lincoln cent is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. It wasn’t long before rumors began circulating that anyone who found one of these rare “copper” cents would be rewarded with a new car, allegedly from Henry Ford himself—though the Ford Motor Company denied these rumors. This myth only fueled the excitement among collectors, who scoured their coin rolls in search of these elusive coins.

1943 年的青銅林肯美分硬幣的發現充滿了神秘和陰謀。不久之後，謠言開始流傳，任何發現這些稀有「銅」美分的人都將獲得一輛新車，據稱是亨利·福特本人的——儘管福特汽車否認了這些謠言。這個神話只會激起收藏家的興奮，他們在錢幣卷中搜尋這些難以捉摸的硬幣。

The first confirmed discovery of a 1943-S bronze cent occurred in 1944 when Kenneth Wing, Jr., a teenage collector from Long Beach, California, found one in circulation. The coin became part of numismatic history, and over the years, it changed hands several times, eventually becoming part of the esteemed Simpson Collection.

1944 年，加州長灘的一位青少年收藏家小肯尼斯·溫 (Kenneth Wing, Jr.) 發現了一枚正在流通的 1943-S 青銅美分，這一發現首次得到證實。這枚硬幣成為錢幣歷史的一部分，多年來，它多次轉手，最終成為受人尊敬的辛普森收藏的一部分。

A Coin Worth a Fortune

一枚價值連城的硬幣

The 1943-S bronze Lincoln cent is not just valuable for its historical significance, but also for its rarity. Only six verified examples exist, making it one of the rarest coins in the world. One particular example, graded MS63 Brown by PCGS and approved by CAC, is considered the finest-known of this error coin. This coin is a centerpiece of the Simpson Collection and has a rich history that includes several high-profile transactions.

1943-S 青銅林肯美分硬幣的價值不僅在於其歷史意義，還在於其稀有性。僅存六枚經過驗證的硬幣，使其成為世界上最稀有的硬幣之一。其中一個特別的例子，由 PCGS 評為 MS63 棕色，並經 CAC 批准，被認為是這種錯誤硬幣中最知名的。這枚硬幣是辛普森收藏的核心作品，擁有豐富的歷史，其中包括許多備受矚目的交易。

In 2012, Bob Simpson, a prominent numismatist, acquired this coin for a record-breaking $1 million in a private transaction. The coin has since become a key piece in Simpson’s All-Time Finest PCGS Registry Set of Lincoln Cents Off-Metal Strikes. Its impressive condition, with sharp design details and traces of original red color, adds to its appeal among collectors.

2012 年，著名錢幣學家鮑勃辛普森 (Bob Simpson) 在私人交易中以破紀錄的 100 萬美元收購了這枚硬幣。此後，這枚硬幣成為辛普森 (Simpson) 有史以來最精美的 PCGS 註冊林肯美分非金屬硬幣套裝中的關鍵部件。其令人印象深刻的狀況、鮮明的設計細節和原始紅色的痕跡，增加了它在收藏家中的吸引力。

The Unique Characteristics of the 1943-S Bronze Lincoln Cent

1943-S 青銅林肯美分的獨特特徵

What sets the 1943-S bronze Lincoln cent apart from other coins is its distinctive features. The coin’s obverse displays sharp design details, with intricate features on Lincoln’s hair and the wheat stalks. The surface of the coin shows a light brown and crimson patina, with traces of the original red visible in sheltered areas. The coin also bears a tiny fleck of zinc from the steel cents that were mistakenly mixed with the bronze planchets, further enhancing its uniqueness.

1943-S 青銅林肯美分與其他硬幣的區別在於其獨特的特徵。硬幣的正面顯示出清晰的設計細節，林肯的頭髮和麥稈上有複雜的特徵。錢幣表面呈現淺棕色和深紅色的銅綠，在遮蔽的地方可以看到原來的紅色痕跡。這枚硬幣上還含有鋼製美分的微小鋅斑，這些鋅被錯誤地與青銅鑄幣混合在一起，進一步增強了其獨特性。

This particular coin has been listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins and has been widely depicted on PCGS CoinFacts, cementing its status as one of the most celebrated errors in numismatic history.

這枚特殊的硬幣已被列為美國 100 枚最嚴重錯誤硬幣之一，並在 PCGS CoinFacts 上得到廣泛描述，鞏固了其作為錢幣歷史上最著名的錯誤之一的地位。

Other Notable 1943-S Bronze Cents

其他著名 1943-S 青銅美分

While the MS63 Brown example is the most famous, several other verified examples of the 1943-S bronze cent exist, each with its own fascinating history. Some of the notable pieces include:

雖然 MS63 布朗幣的例子是最著名的，但還有其他幾個經過驗證的 1943-S 青銅分幣例子，每一個都有其迷人的歷史。一些值得注意的作品包括：

Conclusion: The Allure of the 1943-S Bronze Lincoln Cent

結論：1943-S 青銅林肯美分的魅力

The 1943-S bronze Lincoln cent remains one of the most fascinating and valuable coins in American numismatics. Its rarity, historical significance, and the mystery surrounding its discovery have solidified its place in numismatic lore. Whether it’s the coin’s accidental creation during a time of war or its later status as a coveted treasure among collectors, the 1943-S bronze cent continues to be a symbol of the allure of rare and valuable coins. With only six verified examples in existence, this coin will undoubtedly remain one of the most sought-after treasures in the numismatic world for years to come.

1943-S 青銅林肯美分硬幣至今仍是美國錢幣學領域最迷人、最有價值的硬幣之一。它的稀有性、歷史意義以及圍繞其發現的神秘性鞏固了它在錢幣傳說中的地位。無論是這枚硬幣在戰爭時期的偶然創造，還是後來成為收藏家夢寐以求的珍品，1943-S 青銅美分硬幣始終是稀有且有價值的硬幣魅力的象徵。由於只有六枚經過驗證的硬幣，這枚硬幣無疑將在未來幾年內仍然是錢幣世界中最受歡迎的珍品之一。