1958 New Zealand Half-Penny - Silver? Copper/Nickel?

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 2,073
pls Rest in Peace United States 1729 Posts	Posted 02/20/2009 10:30 pm So I'm rooting around through the bulk coins and I come up with this half-penny, which appears to be identical in every way to another 1958 New Zealand half-penny in my possession, except that it appears to be made of the same copper/nickel that a shilling is made of, or possibly even silver, as there's some "tarnish" on the obverse around the lettering. Doesn't seem to be "plated", as the letters and fine lines are sharp and clear, and there's no reeding on the edge. It appears to be lightly circulated with only bag marks here and there. What do I have? I can scan it and post pix unless someone has a good answer otherwise. Report this Post to the Staff

QuickSilver Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1077 Posts	Posted 02/21/2009 04:40 am Report this Post to the Staff
onejinx Pillar of the Community United States 1231 Posts	Posted 02/21/2009 07:25 am Definately post some pics. I want to see it. And possibly interested in purchasing, if ya selling it. Report this Post to the Staff
pls Rest in Peace United States 1729 Posts	Posted 02/21/2009 12:45 pm What was I thinking, not to post pix in the first post! Image: 1958obv.jpg 98.48 KB Image: 1958rev.jpg 96.81 KB After looking carefully at this coin in better light this morning, I am now leaning towards silver-plating. The toning around the edge, in the lettering, is more like what I'd expect from silver after sitting untouched for a couple of decades or so. When I tilt the coin a bit and move it, I also see some toning, or more likely copper/brass, in the high point over the Queen's ear, where I would expect some wear to occur. On the other hand, the edges do not look silvered - they look very much like copper/nickel. In fact, there are a few areas that appear more copper than nickel! See what you think in the scanned images, but I would tend to state "false alarm" at this point. Let me know if I should be looking for anything else to indicate that this coin has been plated, and thanks. Report this Post to the Staff
QuickSilver Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1077 Posts	Posted 02/21/2009 12:51 pm From the pics it does appear plated. Seems to be wearing off in places. Report this Post to the Staff
pls Rest in Peace United States 1729 Posts	Posted 02/21/2009 4:07 pm The dark areas in the scan pix are more like tarnish spots than wear areas. The wear areas are very subtle, and it takes a good light for the coppery color to show. I'd hazard a guess that someone silvered a brand-new half-penny as a joke and then released it into circulation after tiring of the ha-ha. Fooled me, though. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 5 / Views: 2,073

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