This one really had me going...

[NSR60]

My first thought was that this couldn't be what it looked like. When magnified, it looked to me like an altered date, either a '42 or '48. Then it stuck to a magnet.

Conclusion: This is a copper-coated 1943 steel. A genuine 1943 copper in this condition would have been worth more than every (other) cent I have in the world.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

Take it to a bar with 3 other wheats. Pull out your change in view of the surrounding intoxicated peeps. Make notice that these coins don't seem right. Let the curious inspect. More than one of them will be interested.

When the bidding war is over get on the good foot.

Never go back to that town again.

 

[cudamark]

Yeah, I have one of those myself. Quite a novelty item when you display them.

 

[potsherd_creek]

So these have been counterfeited by copper electroplating? Interesting, although obviously some with fraud in mind.
I did a web search and less that 50 reals are known to be in existence so yes almost certainly fake, although the date does not look altered.
If it were mine I would still get a reputable coin dealer to check it.

 

[potsherd_creek]

Ok, I get it now, the real McCoys are all copper when some copper blanks remained in the press hopper.

 

[NSR60]

Ok, I get it now, the real McCoys are all copper when some copper blanks remained in the press hopper.

Right. On closer inspection, the date looks the same as other 1943's. But the magnet test was conclusive.

 

[cudamark]

Yup, they're genuine 1943 cents....just steel ones that have been copper plated. Easy to test with a magnet.

 

[xr7ator]

Still a great find!