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 Replies: 21 / Views: 6,797 |
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Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
Just found this. I'm pretty sure it's a fake. It weighs 5.2 grams-a bit heavy.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
This is one of the counterfeits produced by Francis LeRoy Henning in 1954. The absent mintmark and the loop visible in R of PLURIBUS are positive markers for this coin. Large numbers found their way into circulation and Henning dumped thousands into New Jersey's Copper River as the Feds closed in on his operation. He was convicted of counterfeiting, served 3 years in prison, and was assessed a $5,000 fine. This is an excellent, cool find and is probably worth a lot more than an ordinary War Nickel. Congratulations! |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
Yes, Henning counterfeit nickel and strangely worth about $10-15- more than either the 1941 (from which it is derived) or the 1944P silver nickel. Go figure  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
Wow! Nice find!  |
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Rest in Peace
 United States
3039 Posts |
Thanks to all for the info. I'd heard of Henning nickels before but really didn't know what they were. I guess this really was a cool find.  It's true, you don't know what's gonna be in the next roll. |
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Moderator
United States
15383 Posts |
Two thumbs up from here ....... that is an unusual piece of well documented US counterfeit history.
It's a keeper for sure.
David
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2589 Posts |
i wonder if the chinese will ever make counterfits of these counterfits
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Edited by TNG
09/03/2009 7:58 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1424 Posts |
why is it that we all complain about Chinese counterfeit coins but then we turn around and pay a premium for a Henning nickel?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3077 Posts |
for one henning did it on his own not in a large production shop and he did a Nickel
the man had to be nuts
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Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
Question about the Henning nickel. Were they struck in BU or were they all like the one I found. I was wondering if that one was circulating for 50+ years(seems unlikely) or has just been pulled out of someone's piggy bank ?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2224 Posts |
Numismo's question is a good one; I really don't know. I just know I search all of the years that Henning's counterfeits were known to be dated as I go through all of my rolls, and I have never come across one. Very tough to find these; I'd love to find one!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
Didn't realize they had climbed to $30-40- WOW! Is that in circulated low grade?
I think Henning took circulated 1941 nickels and turned them into 1944. So I doubt there would be too many BU counterfeits out there, unless the circulated pieces he had were higher grade circs. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I had read it somewhere many years ago and don't know if I have the details right.
I have found exactly 1 in all my years of searching nickels.
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Replies: 21 / Views: 6,797 |
Posted 09/03/2009 12:52 pm
