1901 Penny - I Can't Figure Out Why This Is Like This?

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 18 / Views: 2,127	Page: of 2
Cicirieer New Member United States 4 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:15 pm So this Indian Head penny from 1901 looks to be coated with copper. The inside another metal all together. My understanding the 1901 penny was 95% copper. Even the coloring just looks off. I'd say it's a fake but, this was in my grandmother's things for 50 years. Anyone got any idea? Has to be fake right? Edited by Cicirieer 08/01/2023 4:17 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:21 pm Looks like acid was involved in some way. to the CCF! Report this Post to the Staff
Jethro4635 Valued Member United States 93 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:22 pm Looks like it may have been gold plated at some time in past..but I'll defer to experts as I'm a newbie I e myself Report this Post to the Staff
kbbpll Pillar of the Community United States 4233 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:27 pm Welcome! What an odd coin. The obverse may have been gilded or painted, but the reverse is so corroded it's hard to tell if there was ever a design on it. One possibility is contemporary counterfeit, but a fake cent would hardly be worth it. Let's see what others think. Report this Post to the Staff
HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 24948 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:28 pm First, can you tell us the weight? Also, check the edge for a seam as it may have been a cast counterfeit. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff
Cicirieer New Member United States 4 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:30 pm Thanks Coinfrog! Seriously though. I just can't figure this out unless it was for selling as a strange fake gift shop coin? I couldn't find anything via Google about this being a thing for that coin. Report this Post to the Staff
ijn1944 Bedrock of the Community United States 19118 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:37 pm An accurate weight to two decimal places might be interesting to determine. Report this Post to the Staff
Cicirieer New Member United States 4 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:39 pm Ok. Gonna go dig out scale and check. Been packed away a while so hoping they still work. Report this Post to the Staff
Cicirieer New Member United States 4 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 4:56 pm Ok I can't find scales right now. But mentioning the seam I took these pics to see if it helps give an answer. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187702 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 5:01 pm to the Community! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 6:51 pm Never use metal to hold coins with. John1 Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94786 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 9:15 pm oh OUCH! metal tongs? - huge no-no if you please. But I'll go along with possible plating or coating of paint a very long time ago. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
nfine Pillar of the Community United States 3468 Posts	Posted 08/01/2023 9:16 pm The shoulder on the rim could indicate it was mounted, perhaps glued, in some sort of jewelry item. Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 73698 Posts	Posted 08/02/2023 01:07 am Definitely was damaged in some way. PMD. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
Sap Moderator Australia 16808 Posts	Posted 08/02/2023 07:14 am Is nobody else seeing a casting seam? Because I'm seeing a casting seam. Which leads to the next question: who would want or need to make a uniface cast copy of an 1901 Indian Head cent? The fact that zero effort has gone into copying the obverse, indicates to me it was not intended as either a circulating or numismatic counterfeit. My best guess, based on the stippled surface of the obverse, is that it was made for gluing or inserting into some other object, like a book cover or piece of furniture. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94786 Posts	Posted 08/02/2023 7:02 pm Good point Sap! Maybe it was made to be placed into a leather belt or the buckle. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Edited by Dearborn 08/02/2023 7:15 pm Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 18 / Views: 2,127	Page: of 2

Last 15 Replies

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Classic and Colonial Variety and Error Coins

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.39 seconds to rattle this change.