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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,258 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
Hello! I just have a quick question. I came across this cent at work and am seriously questioning its authenticity. Everything I've looked up seems to suggest these coins were mostly copper, but some pictures I've seen had a silver hue. As you can see in the pics though, this thing is BRIGHT! If anyone could help me figure out what I've got here I would greatly appreciate it.  |
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Valued Member
United States
127 Posts |
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New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
Thank you for v the reply! Can you help me understand why a copper coin would look so much like a silver coin?
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Those are actually considered bronze, therefore can have a yellowish/silver look when worn down and exposed to the elements/circulation PS: third year of the small cent!, the first was 1856 but is quite rare...if you see one "in the raw" (not slabbed) its 99.99% fake! Now get a 1857! Indian Heads started in 1859!  Edited by Crazyb0
04/08/2017 1:33 pm
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Valued Member
United States
68 Posts |
Excellent find! Congratulations! And:  to the Forums! |
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Valued Member
United States
266 Posts |
To be precise these were made from an alloy called nickel bronze, 12 percent nickel and 88 percent copper. It's the nickel content that gives them the silvery appearance. The bronze cents you are used to are made of a more traditional alloy of 5 percent zinc and 95 percent copper. This nickel bronze alloy was also used on Indian Head cents until 1864 Edited by Rdwarrior
04/08/2017 2:42 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
94367 Posts |
Right. "Copper nickel" is the correct term for these early small cents. The bronze type did not appear until 1864.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1343 Posts |
I need to buy one to enjoy it, but then I'd likely have to sell it to get something in an area I'm really after. Curse of the magpie.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
and looks very authentic to me.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
blkarm - You need to experiment with the Image Optimizer and learn how to enlarge and rotate your pics for future threads.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1119 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Correct, along with early Indian Heads 1859-1864.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,258 |
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Posted 04/08/2017 1:10 pm
