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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
For anyone wondering what I'm talking about, here's a brief summary from PCGS: Quote:
In the early 1950s, Francis Leroy Henning of Erial, N.J. (located about 15 miles from the Philadelphia Mint), made more than a half million counterfeit nickels, most of them dated 1944. However, Henning used nickel instead of the wartime alloy to make the coins. He ran into trouble when collectors began noticing slightly oversize and overweight 1944 dated nickels lacking the characteristic mintmark above the dome of Monticello.
Amid newspaper reports concerning a flood of counterfeit "nickels" into a nearby creek and river, federal agents arrested him in Cleveland in 1955. Henning was tried, sentenced to six years in prison, and fined $5,000. I'm looking to add one to my expanded Jefferson collection at some point. There are some on ebay currently but, I'm unsure of the prices. Does anyone own one and what would be a reasonable price to pay for one?Getting the "nickel" would be first priority. I'm also interested in the book The Counterfeit 1944 Jefferson Nickel by Dwight Stuckey. Those seem to be much harder to find than the nickels. I know the ANA has a copy they loan out but, I'm not a member (yet) and would really like to own a copy. In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
I've never owned one, but I have seen 10+ posted on here. They still show up in circulation every once in a very great while.
As of maybe 5 years ago, the "going rate" was $30-$50, depending on the type and condition.
Edited by Finn235
10/10/2017 12:07 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74071 Posts |
Finn235, so does that mean that some of the fakes got spent in circulation? So the guy who confeited Nickels made a lot and put them into circulation, making it screw up the general circulation.
Errers and Varietys.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
Quote:
As of maybe 5 years ago, the "going rate" was $30-$50, depending on the type and condition. The ones listed currently range from about $60-$80+. As far as condition, I understand that he intentionally applied artificial wear to them in order to blend in with circulating coins. So, most examples are pretty worn. Some, found quickly, may be AU at best. Quote:
so does that mean that some of the fakes got spent in circulation? Most definitely. That was the intention. Quote:
So the guy who confeited Nickels made a lot and put them into circulation, making it screw up the general circulation. I'm not sure how much it actually affected legitimate circulating coinage. The article said "more than half a million" so, that's a relatively small percentage to begin with and not all of them, or even most, entered circulation. There were other years produced but, apparently, the 1944 "No P" is the most common and should weigh about 5.5g (I think that's right). It's an interesting subject to be sure. If you're bored one day, research Henning nickels.  In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
Edited by spru
10/10/2017 12:44 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74071 Posts |
Somethime, I will research Henning Nickels. Thank you spruett001 for that very clever and educated answer. Also, you're right about the small percentage of of the U.S. coinage being affected somewhat. That was a very good answer.  Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5193 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2843 Posts |
I had one that turned out to be a counterfeit counterfeit!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1901 Posts |
Bigsilver ain't that a bummer deal. I never knew about these I will definitely keep an eye out for them.
What are the years of them and how can I tell?
Edited by Mrzllewellyn
10/10/2017 03:41 am
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
There is a member here that is into them,can't remember who sorry. Give it a bit and they may chime in. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1901 Posts |
John I believe it's pyrbob I did a little searching and found this thread I will post it so people like me just finding out about how these will know if they found one or if they are buying a real counterfeit http://goccf.com/t/53117Edited by Mrzllewellyn
10/10/2017 04:58 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
1380 Posts |
I've got two, both 1944's but from two different reverse dies. They cost me about $60 each I think.
Pyrbob is the expert on these, I think he's got something like 200 of them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8137 Posts |
Henning Nickels are dated 1939, 1944, 1946, 1947, and 1953. The 1944 is easily the most popular year because it's the easiest to spot.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
538 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1943 Posts |
I still have my Hennings. I'm currently trying to obtain more off date Hennings (1939, 1946, 1947 & 1953). I also have a copy of the Stuckey book that I bought years ago in a major numismatic literature auction. BigSilver, could you post a photo of the counterfeit of a counterfeit that you have? Since you mentioned it in this thread I assume it is a Henning.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I've got a '44 that I found in change many years ago, before I knew the Henning story, and just tossed it aside as a curiosity (fortunately).
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I have two of the 1944 Henning's (I don't know if they are with or without the looped R) and a copy of the Dwight Stuckey book
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Replies: 25 / Views: 8,373 |
Posted 10/09/2017 11:10 pm
