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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,574 |
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Valued Member
United States
288 Posts |
1941. One to three known. 3.5 grams or so and almost a piefort coin.
Much to do about the well published and rare white metal 1942 cent coin. Nice coins by the way. So, what is the problem with the grading services and their so called experts? How do you classify one (1942) without the other (1941)? Is there a problem?
In the middle of 1941, the war department approached the U.S. mint and explained that we were probably going off to war to kill Hitler. As such, we were going to need lots of copper, nickel ect. for bullets and other necessary implements of mass destruction. Not much of a choice for us, or the world.
The mint then sent to various contractors outside of the mint a request to produce a cent coin that could be used as a medium of exchange using just about anything short of strategic metals. This was done. Plastics, Bakelite, ect.
Meanwhile, the mint itself was making experimental coins. The 1942 white metal coin being one of said beasts. Remember, this request was made in mid 1941.
Now I question, How do you suppose that the 1941 white metal coins came to be? To my knowledge there are at least 2 coins known, and perhaps a 3rd.
The 1942 white cent is maybe illegal to own. I am not sure about this fact. I would think that it's legality should run with the federal statue of limitations. I have read that one of them (1942 white) was in fact seized by the feds some years ago, while others were more recently allowed to sell openly.
The 1941? Grading services call it a mint error. Are they smart or what?
Thanks David H.
Are we having fun yet? Gusp
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Maybe the coin was struck on a dime planchet? That would be an error. Or even a coin struck on a steel planchet would be an error. But if someone stole one that was a test example, then it would be illegal to own. Case in point on the 1974 aluminimium cent. Those were presented and stolen/destroyed. If you have one, they may knock on your door as it was stolen originally. Not intended for use at that point. Probably be so with the 1941 white Cent. It was never intended to be released. Some one took it before they were destroyed.
Side point: The mint probably were told to use different alternatives. There was no outside source to go to. The Bills paper (Their only customer)is contract to an outside company, but the printing is done by the proper facilities. Coins they pretty much do all the work to make them. There maybe a company that makes the planchets for cents and plates them. (I've heard that) But the striking is done by them.
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Valued Member
 United States
288 Posts |
Thanx again RSC. Amazing what escapes the mint. It could be a die trial. As such, legality could be questionable. Then again, sometimes coins just get mixed in with other coins. Them presses run real fast and them bins hold lots of cents. Sometimes things escape. Looking for a good home I guess.
A bit of a story as I heard it...Some years ago Sam Lukes had a 1959 wheat stalk cent. It was an au58 red. He told me that he had chased it for 20 years. Sometime later a syndicate ended up with the coin and sent it to the Secret Service who then gave it to the U.S. mint to examine and determine it's authenticity. The mint said it was made by them!. I believe that coin was returned to it's owners. Walter Breen told me about that 1959 au58 about 40 years ago. Guess he knew.
Is that a die trial and legal to own? I suppose it depends on who you are. Enjoy....G.
Edited by gusp
01/29/2008 12:20 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Your probably right on the "Who you are part."
Probably be how it got from the mint. If it was stolen then it would could be illegal to own. But it it was made a a mule and it reached circulation, then it would be available to own. Just depends on how it was released. You can own pattern pieces, but they would be rare to see.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3507 Posts |
The 1959 D "Wheat" cent was subsequently declared a fake as the person who created it (Mark Hoffmann), a known coin forger finally fessed up in prison. After that, the confession could not be confirmed so it is my understanding that the coin is still very controversial but hasn't been totally confirmed as real. It is true that it has been "authenticated" by the secret service twice but the authentication may or may not be valid.
There are some remarkable counterfeit, die struck 1909 S VDB cents out there that defy detection.
So does the 1959 D really exist as a real coin?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
quote:
Foundinrolls said:
So does the 1959 D really exist as a real coin?
Of course it does. I have rolls of them at home. They just have the right reverse instead of the Wheat one, which sounds like this original Memorial HAD. LOL Edited by coop
01/29/2008 7:53 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3507 Posts |
Hey Coop,
There is a perfect example of an "out of context phrase". Thanks my friend for pointing that out:-) LOL! I'll be more careful next time:-) Were you an english teacher in a former life:-) I think I was a locomotive engineer in the early 1900s. I think that's why I like older coins!
Have Fun,
Bill
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
I've been accused of being a teacher before. I like the other person to come to a conclusion on his own. That way the next time he finds something like that, he will remember the one who taught them. So I usually present an argument for and against and let them see what they think with the new information. (Hope I was a lawyer in my past life.) LOL
If a discussion is well in hand I don't answer. If I feel a correction maybe needed I will chime in to help. I always keep my answers on the light side. If I was looking for an argument, I'd talk to my Mother-in-law.
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,574 |
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Posted 01/29/2008 12:07 pm
