Designed by: Victor David Brenner
Issue Dates: 1944-1946
Composition: 95% copper, 5% zinc
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 3.11 grams (48 grains)
Edge: plain
Business Strike Mintage: 5,142,736,000
Proof Mintage: None

Cartridge cases from spent ammunition used in the war effort were melted down and used as an alloy for Lincoln cents from 1944 through 1946. The change was scarcely noticeable, except that when first minted the pieces had a slightly yellower color than the bronze cents of earlier dates. Coinage was struck in large quantities, with over one billion being coined in each of the years 1944 and 1945 at the Philadelphia Mint, an unprecedented figure representing the first time the billion mark had been crossed. Interestingly, by 20 years later multi-billion coinages were the rule.

Examples are readily available today in any desired grade from well-worn to superb Uncirculated. The coin will present no difficulty in acquisition.