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A special version of the United States penny coin manufactured from zinc-plated steel, rather than copper, during World War II in 1943. The steel penny's introduction was part of an effort to save 10,000,000 pounds of copper for the production of ammunition and other military equipment vital to the war effort. The coin became a quick target for collectors due to its having been minted for only one year.
Examples of a few 1943 cents inadvertantly struck on copper planchets are known to exist, and are highly valued by collectors; through a similar error, a few 1944 cents were struck on steel planchets, and are also in great demand.
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