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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,709 |
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New Member
United States
28 Posts |
Let me start by saying that I don't collect coins. All I know is what I have figured out from the internet. Please don't hesitate to correct me if I say something stupid or wrong. Thanks. While sorting old coins from an estate I helped settle, I came across two 1853 one cent pieces that were obviously different. Photos below. One appears to be normal at 10 grams weight, 27.5 mm diameter, and 2 mm thickness. The other is only 2 grams weight, 25.5 mm diameter, and a hair less than 1 mm thickness. I'm using a postal scale and eyeballing a metric ruler so measurements are approximate. Is it possible that the smaller one was struck on a wrong or thin planchet? Any guidance or educated guesses would be appreciated. Photos below are front, reverse, and stacked.    |
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Valued Member
United States
368 Posts |
Appears to be a very bad replica of a coin.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2517 Posts |
Not an error. Your coin was dipped in acid, the super-thin letters are a giveaway. Acid eats from all sides so that's why your coin is smaller and thinner.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Fake, those denticles are a dead giveaway Oh and  to ccf  |
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New Member
 United States
28 Posts |
Why would someone counterfeit a coin that has minimal value? Or, why dip it in acid?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Your coin is not fake but it has been subjected to chemical erosion at some point in its life. The disappearance of the rim and thinning of all devices are the primary indicators of chemical erosion. |
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New Member
United States
28 Posts |
Thanks to all. I guess someone tried to clean or sharpen up the coin and just left in an acid bath for much too long.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Yeah, might have been a dug coin, and corroded so badly........
Actually it's pretty cool looking, I'd keep it.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Genuine but a classic acid soaked coin.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Good discussion - learned something!
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Is mercuric acid commonly used for this purpose? I use mercuric to remove rust from metal items without damage to any paint near the corroded area. It does leave a tell tale pitting, but in many cases this is better than flaking rust that continues to do damage.
Anyone have any insight on the type of acid that would do this to a copper or bronze coin?
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New Member
United States
28 Posts |
Thanks for all the input. Since I don't collect coins, I think I'll put these up together for auction on ebay for a few bucks. Would I be correct if I advertise them as "1853 Large Cent plus Curiousity"? That title might get a little extra attention and I don't know that I could really call the acid-eaten cent a 'collectible coin'. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
Quote:
Or, why dip it in acid? Coin+(bottle of acid)+(boredom or curiosity)=your coin Edited by OldSkoolMadSkilz
07/21/2015 8:27 pm
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Valued Member
United States
309 Posts |
I have one of these too, but dated 1844. Might they have been placed in a brine pickle barrel for good luck, and to help preserve the pickles with germ-killing copper-based corrosion by-products? Might they have been used as a sacrificial anode in ships? Copper plating sources in miniature electrolysis processes of some sort? How about use in powder works where no sparking steel tools are allowed? Lightning rod tips? I would rather think mine is a contemporary counterfeit, but will look again for the small letters as evidence of acid corrosion on all surfaces including the sides of the letters. There ought to be a good 19th century story to account for these thin cents.
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New Member
United States
28 Posts |
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New Member
United States
28 Posts |
I didn't realize as much as I'd hoped (only $7.46) but that's better than having it tossed in the back of a drawer because no one knew what to do with it.
Thanks for your help, guys!
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,709 |
Posted 07/21/2015 11:17 am
