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 Replies: 65 / Views: 40,196 |
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
Hi I am new and looking for some info on a penny I recently found! It is a 1978 no mint mark, and the penny is silver in color? Its not magnetic, and I have searched everywhere and not found another like it. Also have gotten some info from local coin dealers, it only weighs 1.9 grams, so it is way too light to be a plated penny. Also doesn't show any copper through the color under a microscope!! They have all been very confused as well am I, and many of them have tried to buy it as it seems to truly be a one of a kind! A mistake or error or something! Anyone have any ideas or guess or information at all? Thanks! Edited by Minix69
07/10/2013 9:14 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
621 Posts |
that sounds very interesting. a picture of the coin is going to be needed. well, pictures, to be technical. what kind of testing confirmed it real? welcome to the site, I'm sure someone will be able to help.
Edited by justin3651
07/10/2013 9:22 pm
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New Member
 United States
15 Posts |
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
There we go, I think you can tell from those
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
There weight test first, with it only weighing 1.9 grams, were a normal penny weighs 3.11g, and if it were plated it would be heavier or around the same weight. and also them not being able to see the copper bleed through any kind of plating under a microscope! One shop was trying pretty hard to buy it I just couldn't sell it right then, I have never seen anything like it before!
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Valued Member
United States
459 Posts |
I'm not sure, but could it be a penny struck on a dime planchet? That's the only thing I could think of but, the weight of a dime is around 2.3g so I'm not sure if a .4g loss due to circulation is normal?
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
What does the rim look like? If it was struck on a dime planchet you might see some copper on the rim.
It could have been struck on a planchet intended for a foreign coin.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12845 Posts |
Interesting... are you sure you zeroed out the scale?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
998 Posts |
Did the US Mint make coins for other nations at the time that might have used a similar sized planchet of a lighter weight metal? Would it be possible that that planchet got in the penny hopper?
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Valued Member
United States
395 Posts |
Any chance your camera can take a closer shot of just the coin so we can see it in a higher resolution? On the reverse, "One Cent" looks "built up" a little to me, but its too hard to tell from these pics. Also, a shot of the edge might be helpful to some as well.
Edited by JJHFL
07/11/2013 07:20 am
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
I compared it to another penny it seems to be the same same maybe just a barely noticable bit smaller, and the edge is smooth. All of the coin seems to be in place, but I'm not really an expert on any coins. I will try to get some more photo's for everyone to help me out, my cameras not the best but if I try a few times usually I can get the shot we want. WHat all pics does everyone need? Thanks so much!
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Moderator
 United States
189321 Posts |
I moved this to the Variety and Error forum so that the V/E regulars can comment.
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
Oh and seen one more question we zeroed the scale and checked a couple times, Just to absolutely sure! It was strange that it was so light so we checked a couple times.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
1.9 grams is too light for a plated cent or a dime planchet. I'm coming up with three possibilities, a counterfeit (unlikely), struck on a foreign planchet (Possible? we were striking coins for other countries then but I haven't checked for possibilities), and soaked in acid and then plated to try and pass as a dime. Better images would help and it would also help if I checked the foreign planchet possibilities
Checked the foreign planchets possibilities and it doesn't look good. The closest combination in size and time period I can find is Liberia 10 cent planchet at 1.7 grams. It is coppernickel so the color would be right. At 16.9 mm it is a little small but it would fit in the dies. They were struck in San Francisco, but San Francisco did strike 1978 cents without mintmarks. The problem is they last struck the Liberia 10 cents in 1976. So the planchet would have to have hung around in the presses or tote bins for two years.
Edited by Conder101
07/11/2013 11:55 am
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
I am trying to get some good photo's for you my cameras just won't co operate! If this thing all checks out though I am just curious is there any value to this coin? Or possible value I should say
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
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Replies: 65 / Views: 40,196 |
Posted 07/10/2013 9:28 pm
