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 Replies: 12 / Views: 8,405 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1713 Posts |
A family member of mine who has been a numismatist for many more years than I have once showed me his collection. One of the most interesting things there was a penny as thin as a sheet of paper. The mint marks were still perfectly readable. If I remember correctly he said that the penny had come out of the roll like that.
Sorry I don't have a picture or a date. He keeps his collection locked up in the bank and I was lucky to see it even once.
Any idea on what the value would be on such an item?
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
Without seeing pictures I don't think I could venture a guess. That's Very interesting and I implore you to beg and plead to see the coin again and take pictures.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
577 Posts |
In chemistry class I have removed all of the copper from a copper/zinc cent, and the resulting penny was likewise as thin as a piece of paper. I'm not saying yours has been altered in any way, but it is a possibility.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1713 Posts |
When you did this was the penny still copper colored or did it change colors? This one was still copper.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
the clad cent would have been zinc after removing the copper so no it would have been a gray color. but your cent if it is pre 82 it would still be copper colored because there is no zinc in it. I think that when I did it in school many many years ago the coin got smaller than a regular cent maybe the size of a dime. so I am not positive that your coin is dipped in acids like the post 82 was.
Gary
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New Member
United States
18 Posts |
If the penny was dipped in any acid to the point when it's near paper-thin, then the penny would also be near perfectly smooth because it's almost like sanding down the penny. It being a mint error is much more likely.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
The possibility of it being a mint error is next to none . a planchet is a certain diameter and thickness so when struck the dies fill, if the planchet begins the thickness of a sheet of paper (which may or may not be exaggerated ) there is no way the dies will strike up the planchet into a coin with any detail . more likely the coin has been altered ,,by either shaving a layer from the obverse of one cent and the reverse of another and joining them together to simulate a complete cent .or the same result from sanding Two Cents down and joining them together to simulate a complete cent . Im sorry for the skepticism but the minting process renders most any other answer to be arrived at . Metalman |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
I have a cent like that which I posted a long time ago. I was told at that time it received an acid bath, which I believe has already been mentioned. My coin has all details on both sides, is the same diameter as a regular cent, but it will cut you like a razor blade. I will try to dig up some pictures for you.
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Valued Member
United States
69 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
936 Posts |
No one mentioned that it could be a cent struck on a planchet of a dime? I have seen those, but it would be silver and not copper.
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Member
United States
703 Posts |
Is there design on both sides? is a strong strike or a weak strike. It could be a split planchet. Strong strike (one side), the coin split after strike. Weak strikes both sides, the planchet split before striking.
Or post mint damage, need photo.
errror
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
Metalman is correct. the coin is post mint damage either acid or whatever it is not an error
Gary
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 8,405 |
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Posted 07/07/2007 01:33 am
