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 Replies: 16 / Views: 4,258 |
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Valued Member
United States
285 Posts |
I bought my PDS Steel Cents from Littleton Coin probably 25 years ago. Now I am second guessing and trying to determine if they are natural or if they were plated. They do stick to a magnet. Does anyone know if Littleon would sell plated cents back then or if there is an easy way to tell if steel cents were plated? thanks!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I assume they are looking pretty shiny? So you are wondering if they are uncirculated or plated.
If they have the luster like other uncirculated coins, ( although they can get kind of cloudy due to the composition from environmental circumstances ) then I would guess they are uncirculated. If they are shiny and have the same appearance over the whole surface of the coins, they might be plated. A picture might help if it is a good enough image.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
The zinc layers on original steel cents were applied before the blanks were punched from the strip of metal, so untreated steel cents should have exposed steel on the edge.
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Moderator
 United States
188001 Posts |
I got one of these sets from Littleton, closer to 30 years ago. All Three Cents are "reprocessed" (replated). The edges of the coins are plated, whereas originals would have exposed steel. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1812 Posts |
I remember purchasing reprocessed war cents back in the mid '60's, where at first glance one would think that they were in gem condition, then noticed the (sometimes heavy) wear on Lincoln's cheeks, wheat stalks, etc. were as bright as the fields... The 1943 reprocessed Lincoln Cents were sold in a small plastic 3-coin display case (P,D&S)with the notation "reprocessed" on the case, and I believed sold for around 19 Cents... Maybe some other oldtimers can verify this as well...
Back then I didn't know a very good from a uncirculated coin and believed how shiny a coin was determined the grade, and you could make a proof coin by polishing it...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
yep I got those same coins all those yrs ago and they still look amazing ( yes they are plated) but as a kid they sure looked amazing haha  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If from Littleton, very possibly a replated coin. However, there have been so many different types of replating done to those coins, it is sometimes an apparently just nice original and sometimes one of the many replated ones. Usually, not always, most of the lettering and numbers are a bit on the heavy, mushier side. Usually the coins would have a bit higher weight than normal also. But if replating was done to a worn coin, the weight may be correct since the added Zinc now makes up for the wear. Usually, and again not always, the reprocessed ones tend to have that overly bright shine, not similar to the old, original coatings. One of the most obvious telltail symtoms of replating is the Wheats on the back being almost gone as to separations. As well as Zinc, some of those are replated with Tin, some with Chome and the ones I really like are plated with Copper. Many of the originals are so well preserved that people assume they are replated but are actually original. I have well over 2,000 of those 1943 Cents. Presently trying to make up an entire roll of the Chromed plated ones. I have only 3 of the Copper ones and they are just not as common as they used to be. Quote:
They do stick to a magnet. The plating, regardless of material, has no effect on the magnetic properties of the coins. Edited by just carl
04/06/2012 9:45 pm
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Valued Member
United States
333 Posts |
I almost bought a set of these in a littleton holder at the last show I went to. I had to run before I could purchase them, but I made sure to ask if they were replated. The dealer said no, but I was unsure if he was correct or not. I had a suspicion that he was incorrect, but I didn't want to argue about it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
I hope I never put replated steel Cents into my Dansco !~! ....  I better be checking that ASAP ! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
I bought a set of these, replated ones, many years ago, when I first started collecting. They looked so shiny and brand new, how can anyone resist?  From a collector's point of view, does this replating destroy the numismatic value or add to it? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3278 Posts |
Does not add to it by any means. Doesn't destroy it but almost.
Still a nice coin I would give to a kid.
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Valued Member
United States
135 Posts |
Here is a set I found while going the my Mothers coins.   Sorry for the poor pics. These look Uncirculated, no wear what so ever. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
jewelcard: Those definitely look plated to me. Unless it is just a bad picture, then I'm positive they are plated.
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Valued Member
United States
208 Posts |
Can someone provide some pics of the replatted vs original? I'm assuming you all mean if they look like a silver proof they have been replatted, and if they have a bit duller look they are not?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
557 Posts |
Heres a photo of mine (being a replated steelie) I have a post on here that it was explained to me also .. I dont have the photo of my replacement for that hole yet , but ill get a photo in a sec for you of that one . Hope it helps alil Phil     Edited by tatt2ed13
04/14/2012 01:19 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 4,258 |
Posted 04/06/2012 4:55 pm
