Shell Case Pennies of World War II Collector Roll Set

Own a piece of United States coinage history…..
During World War II, the demand for copper soared, driven by its essential role in manufacturing military items, particularly shell casings crucial to the war effort. Responding to this need, the U.S. Mint ceased copper usage in the Lincoln penny in 1943. However, the Army and Navy collected spent copper shell casings from battlegrounds and warships, dispatching them back to the U.S. Mint where they were turned into new Lincoln pennies. Only those minted in 1944, 1945, and 1946 were made from shell cases, featuring the classic "Wheat Ears" reverse design. Shell case coins were struck in 95% copper and 5% zinc — the only three years that U.S. pennies were made with this composition which gave the coins a slightly darker color than pre and post war pennies.

Each sealed 50-coin collector roll in this complete set, includes 50 pennies in gently circulated condition. An individually encapsulated coin from each of the three years is also included, so that the details of the remarkable design can be viewed more closely.