United States pattern coins
The 1942 experimental cents were pattern coins struck by the United States Mint to test alternative compositions for the penny.
History.
After the outbreak of World War II, the demand for copper rose as it was used in ammunition and other military equipment. The US Mint researched ways to reduce or eliminate the usage of copper in cent production. The mint struck pattern coins in various metals, using the obverse design of the Colombian two centavo coin. Dies were sent to various companies to test possible non-metal compositions. Patterns were also struck with modified rim Lincoln cent dies.
One of the compositions tested, zinc-coated steel, was chosen for the 1943 cent.