In 1944, most pennies were made from copper as the U.S. Mint reverted back to this material after using steel in 1943 due to copper shortages during World War II. However, some 1944 pennies were mistakenly struck on leftover steel planchets from 1943, resulting in a few rare and valuable steel pennies from that year. These steel 1944 pennies are highly sought after by collectors because they are an anomaly, differing from the standard copper pennies produced that year. #coins #rare #valuable #ch