| Author |
 Replies: 21 / Views: 5,986 |
|
New Member
United States
7 Posts |
I've been a collector of old coins for a bit and my mom had a little container for decades of old ones. She let me look through it last night and I saw a unique looking penny, compared to the silver coins it looked way different. I looked it up and found out that it could be a steel penny, so I got a magnet and I was able to lift it up with it. What do you guys think?   |
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I think we'll need more details to discuss your coin, such as bigger pictures and an accurate weight measurement. The zinc-plated steel cents were just 2.7 grams, compared to 3.1 for the bronze cent. Even a plated bronze coin will be slightly magnetic; the steel cent should be strongly attracted.  |
|
New Member
 United States
7 Posts |
I'll weigh it when I get home from work in around 8 hours, sorry for the wait. And I had bigger pictures but I couldn't upload them, here are the ones I have   *** Edited by Staff - Images added to post. *** |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5823 Posts |
When you say that you were able to lift it up with a magnet, did it stick fast to it like a nail or was it just slightly attracted to it? A true steel penny is made of, well, steel and will hold fast to any magnet of decent strength.
Looking at the close-up pictures, it seems as though the cent may have copper rims, which would be an indication that somebody took a copper penny and plated it with something which has started to wear away.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
Looks like a steel penny, but a 1944 Steel Penny is so rare, it's unlikely. You'd have a potentially 100,000 dollar coin if it were a true 1944 steely. The rims appear to be wearing as a copper color in the image link, so it might be a fake or coated coin.
If it were me, I might send it to a grader like NGC just in case. A $20 shot at one of the rarest coins in the world if authenticated.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
it seems as though the cent may have copper rims, I also think I see bronze showing through on Lincoln's bust as well as IGWT. At first glance, I'm leaning towards a plated coin. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
I can see in the second sets of picture the coin has been plated, PMD. Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Puerto Rico
778 Posts |
Quote:
If it were me, I might send it to a grader like NGC just in case. A $20 shot at one of the rarest coins in the world if authenticated. Weigh it first. Edited by junjun
08/26/2014 5:53 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2368 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As already said, if it's all Steel, it will fly to a magnet. If coated or plated, will stick but barely.
|
|
New Member
United States
7 Posts |
I weighed it and it's 3.02 grams (the scale sometimes is around .01 off) so I guess it's not steel :(
And I tried the magnet again, it didn't fly to it, it just barely lifts
Edited by Roverrider
08/26/2014 9:58 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
Well it's worth a penny. Not your lottery ticket numbers this time.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I think that clinches it--oh well I hope someone here finds one...someday.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12808 Posts |
Ah, dreams. Always fun to imagine the possibilities! Keep searching.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
However, a great possible start to make a 1943 modified Lincoln Cent collection. So many were plated with Zinc, Tin, Chrome, Copper, etc. makes for a whole new hobby.  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
And I tried the magnet again, it didn't fly to it, it just barely lifts Nickel plated. Pure nickel is strongly magnetic, but there would be so little there that it can barely support the weight of the copper cent. |
| |
Replies: 21 / Views: 5,986 |
Posted 08/26/2014 11:22 am
