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 Replies: 10 / Views: 16,256 |
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Valued Member
United States
318 Posts |
I have been reading a few posts where magnetic coins are mentioned. Can you give me reasons why and how to tell if I have a magnetic coin? I never knew they existed.
Are they just pennies that I have to look for? What years would be involved?
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Moderator
 Australia
16810 Posts |
"Magnetic" coins are coins that will stick to a magnet, because they're made of either steel or pure nickel. To test for it, simply get a magnet (an ordinary fridge magnet will do) and see if it sticks. The only magnetic US coins you will find right now are 1943 steel cents, though the US Mint is investigating steel as a cheaper alternative for 1 cent and 5 cent coins. So there may be more American "magnetic coins" for you to find in the future.  Most of the discussion you'll read about it is in regard to countries which have already switched over to steel coinage, or countries which used to use pure nickel coinage (such as Switzerland or Canada) but no longer do so. Canada, in particular, has switched from "magnetic" to "non-magnetic" cents, apparently at random, over the last decade or so, and the use of a magnet is the quickest way to tell the varieties apart. It's also a handy test for cheap Chinese-made fake coins. If a coin you know is supposed to be made of solid silver (like a US silver dollar) sticks to a magnet, you know it's definitely a fake. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
531 Posts |
Sap did a good job of summarizing magnetic coins. The Canadian small cent was in the news in 2011 due to magnetic varities turning up. The assumption is that older copper plated planchets found their way into the press' for 2011. I was fortunate to easily obtain both a non-magnetic and a magnetic date 2011.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Why did Canada stop making copper plated steel cents? If there was a problem with them then why would the US consider making them? John1  |
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Valued Member
 United States
318 Posts |
Great information guys! I can see that I am going to be playing with a magnet real soon, once I get organized with my coins.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1554 Posts |
 I can't afford a magnet, so I use an old trick me Grandpappy taught me. Wait for a full moon night, then hold the coin up to the moon till the entire coin covers the moon. If you feel an incredable pull soo strong you can barely hold the coin, then you know it's Magnetic! Good Luck, Ms. Cajunlady.  Glenn |
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Valued Member
United States
318 Posts |
Quote:
I can't afford a magnet, so I use an old trick me Grandpappy taught me. You poor thing! I have a magnet I can send you. The last thing I want to see is you standing outside holding up a coin in the air in your PJs. You wont have your freedom for long like that, especially if the neighbors see you doing that. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I can't afford a magnet, so I use an old trick me Grandpappy taught me. Wait for a full moon night, then hold the coin up to the moon till the entire coin covers the moon. You really don't have to buy a magnet. You must have a radio, phonograph, TV set or anything that sound comes out of around. Just tear it apart and the speaker has a magnet on the back. Break off all the excess material around thee magnet and there you now have a magnet.  Many newer cars have multiple speakers in the doors and dash. Again just tear one out and use the back of the speaker for a magnet.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
Computer hard drives have a fantasticly strong magnet in them. You can lift a sledge hammer with one  |
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Pillar of the Community
Thailand
1509 Posts |
Self closing magnetic catches on a lot of furniture!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
531 Posts |
And lets not forget those charming refrigerator magnets.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 16,256 |
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Posted 01/01/2012 09:43 am
