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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,363 |
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
I have seen a number of references here an online about steel pennies being re-coated in zinc? I have a set of 3 (each mint) that are 'proof like' or really high AU estimate quality, all the zinc remains, still mirror shiny (which is causing me a LOT of trouble trying to take a usable photo!!). What would I look for to know if they were tampered with? Pretty sure these would have been bought before 1995 as they have been in our collection for that long or longer. Here is one starter image. I am working on trying to get a usable full coin shot of at least one of them.   Edited by jonnin
11/22/2019 2:27 pm
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Forum Dad
 United States
24147 Posts |
Since they were never mirror shiny to begin with, they are likely recoated especially in you found them in a set of 3. That's exactly what they do.
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Valued Member
 United States
128 Posts |
So a high quality legit one would be dull? Even with all the zinc intact?
And a re-coated one would have high details, like the wheat lines and hair etc?
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
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Forum Dad
United States
24147 Posts |
Looks like someone took a pair of wire cutters to that one.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
They have been re-processing steel cents for at least 50 years, probably longer.
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
Ok, I can agree to that.. a number of things didn't add up about the little set. And yea something got a piece of it on the top edge.
I would still like to know if there is a 'safe way' to spot a legit one (or a tell for an altered one?) apart from it being slabbed? I'd like to pick up a decent set, Ive got hundreds of heavily worn ones.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
One way to tell is to look at the edge,it should be dull and unplated even on a genuine one. If it is shiny like the obverse and reverse it is for sure replated. John1  |
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
good to know. Yea, this set have the shiny edge too, though I think we already knew about these its good to have another data point.
Thanks everyone!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
It is becoming more and more difficult to tell an original from replated. The replaters are getting better and better at it. I have well over 4,000 of those things. I also have several rolls of replated ones. Some are done in Zinc, some in Tin or Chrome and some even in Copper. I only have 3 of the Copper ones but would like to find more of those.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,363 |
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Posted 11/22/2019 2:29 pm
