The item in question is a United States one-cent coin mistakenly struck in silver-colored metal during 1943. Regular production of cents in that year utilized zinc-coated steel to conserve copper for wartime efforts. Due to errors in the minting process, a small number of these coins were produced using planchets intended for silver five-cent pieces.
These aberrant coins are highly sought after by numismatists due to their rarity and historical significance. Their unintentional creation during a period of material conservation for war lends them a unique place in U.S. coinage history. The considerable value placed on these pieces arises from the combination of error and circumstance surrounding their production.