How much is a 1942 silver penny worth?

Answer 1

There was no such animal. The U.S. has never made cents out of silver because they would be worth more than dimes. In 1943 because of the copper shortage due to the war, there were steel pennies made. The value it dependent on the condition. Circulated ones sell for about a quarter. If you have a silver-colored cent with any date other than 1943, it's almost certain that it's an ordinary coin that was plated either for use in jewelry or as a high-school chemistry experiment. There have been a few "off metal strikes" documented, however. That error happens when a blank intended for a foreign coin got mixed in with normal blanks and was struck with the penny design. These coins are worth a premium but can be difficult to tell apart from plated coins without a scale or specific-gravity balance.