1942 Lincoln Wheat Cent Metal Color

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,149
Jimbo48 Valued Member United States 259 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 12:36 pm I have had this 1942 cent for over 60 years. I found it in a roll of pennies when I started collecting coins as a child. In 1943 pennies were made from steel except for a rare small number of copper ones. The coin on the left when compared to the one on the right has a brass (golden) color. Originally, I thought the coin was electroplated. I took a small file and scraped the edge of the coin to see if copper was under the surface. The coin is solid metal and not plated. I am thinking the mint may have been doing trials on different metals to replace copper and this is one of the trials that made it out to circulation. At any rate, has anyone ever seen something like this? * Moved by Staff moved to a more appropriate forum. * Report this Post to the Staff

John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 1:05 pm I think I read that some years were minted using spent brass shells. John1 Report this Post to the Staff
Tacc Pillar of the Community United States 3535 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 1:16 pm ...and also the copper coins vary greatly due to the metal ratios and of course environmental effect on copper. Edited by Tacc 02/26/2024 1:18 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 99209 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 1:22 pm Correct, during the war years, the mint had access to used shell casings to make cent coins, (except for 1943 that is) Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 1:51 pm to the CCF! Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 75494 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 2:13 pm John1 is correct. I agree. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
Jimbo48 Valued Member United States 259 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 4:07 pm Thanks to all, that solves a mystery that I have had about this coin for 60 year! Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 190483 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 4:54 pm I believe that the recycled shell cases were used from 1944 to 1946 (or possibly 1947). http://goccf.com/t/394306 http://goccf.com/t/451676 Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Cujohn Pillar of the Community United States 7174 Posts	Posted 02/26/2024 7:32 pm to the CCF and 44 to 47 Copper coins can take on any and all tones depending on what they come across in their life. Report this Post to the Staff
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