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 Replies: 27 / Views: 7,516 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
Hi Cougar = The toning of your specimen smacks of a plated steel cent. As noted, we see these pop up frequently here and get a number of looks. Although out of focus, the bow tie appears to be showing steel/zinc through the thin copper plate. Same is true of the reverse C in CENT and the rim.
If you don't have a scale, you can create a see-saw scale with a battery, tape, and popsicle stick. Play with the scale where it balances two copper cents then replace one with your specimen. If it's copper, the scale should balance. Otherwise, you will know if you have a copper plated specimen.
As noted, there are a number of fakes out there that are copper. At this point, you need to familiarize yourself with die sets and get a professional assessment. Most LCS's are probably not capable of such an assessment. Due to their rarity, a narrow group of experts exist to authenticate. But a number of folks here have skills to spot fakes...even very good ones.
Hoping you have one, but the odds are against it being the real deal.
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Moderator
 United States
54283 Posts |
They have been making these since the forties and even ran newspaper ads for copper plated ones in the fifties.
It would be very nice if it were genuine.
Please keep us informed as to what you find out, even if it turns out to be not a genuine error cent.
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Valued Member
United States
64 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
@Cougarkb I'm certainly glad you came here for thoughts and input. At this point, all of the useful suggestions have been stated. Don't assume anything based on the odds of finding a genuine piece. Approach this very seriously as I'm sure you are and be very thorough with tests. If it does pass the tests, then it needs to be authenticated. You should use a recognized TPG - PCGS, NGC or ANACS. I'm in no way suggesting it's genuine, but from what I can see, there's nothing telling me it's obviously fake. However, I'm no expert. I hope this turns out to be a huge score for you!  In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3463 Posts |
The obverse is too out of focus to examine properly, and there is something about the reverse that just doesn't look right. I can't quite put my finger on it yet, maybe the wheat heads?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12477 Posts |
I created this side-by-side of the OP's coin (right) and a 1944 cent I have (left) to see if there are any discrepancies. I don't know if there is any mint-made difference between the dies of these two years or if I should compare the OP's coin to a 1942 instead.  In this comparison, I do see a few differences. I'll let others compare and offer opinions if this is even a fair comparison at all. Maybe I should have used a steel 1943.  In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Weight would be the next necessary step. Also a clearer image of the obverse. The tail of the 3 is not very sharp. (compare with the fake copper plated one below) I've seen copper coin put in with steel cents and some copper transfers to the surface. But they would always stick to a magnet. I would hang onto this one for now till we get some more information.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
900 Posts |
Here is a 43 in decent shape of it helps which I'm sure someone has a nicer example but anything to help .   |
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Moderator
United States
54283 Posts |
Quote:
In this comparison, I do see a few differences. I'll let others compare and offer opinions if this is even a fair comparison at all. Maybe I should have used a steel 1943. Since the copper 1943 cents were struck with 1943 dies, yes, you should have compared the subject coin to a 1943 cent (and one of equal grade). |
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Valued Member
108 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3281 Posts |
Just by my eyes, it looks quite off.
As mentioned from the others, tests are needed to be sure if it's legitimate.
My vote is no but who knows.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2189 Posts |
Quote:
looks real to me Well since this thread is 4 years old and the OP never came back with an answer I assume it was fake. Otherwise he would have been back the second he found out it was real |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
21632 Posts |
Another old post revived for no reason.
Been getting a few of these lately.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
6244 Posts |
I took Spruett001 photo and make some lines. I think it is fake coin. Up to you to judge.  |
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Posted 04/16/2017 9:42 pm
