1947 Copper/Nickel/Zinc Penny (Ml)

As to the how. Research if the mint made coins that year for other countries. Get an accurate weight and size of your coin and try to match it to other coins from other countries minted that year.
John1

Most likely the RCM was striking a token like a transit token or similar and this planchet got stuck in the buckets, almost 100% that the RCM did not stike foreign coins in this time period, other than scratch still a cool coin

So just for some extra info - the weight comes in at 3.23g, as do my other 1947 pennies, so no difference there. I went back to the hock shop today to try out a science experiment - turns out that the machine has a variance of up to 5% from published values and can give some false readings at the <2% level (original reading with 1% palladium did not show up again). That being said, in my heart now I feel safe saying it's definately a cupro-nickel alloy of some sort as the machine did not display variances in the 30% range. Does anyone have a resource they find useful for parking/other tokens that the mint produced by year?

Thank you!

ICCS does not grade errors

If it helps any, I searched through Patrick Glassford's list of foreign countries the RCM struck coins for throughout the years (89 foreign countries) and the RCM struck no foreign coins in 1947.

As for grading, PCGS will grade an error such as this if it is legitimate, but fair warning, it can be pricey sending coins in to be graded especially if you do not have access to a PCGS dealer. If no dealers are in your area, then you will need a PCGS membership that will cost $100.00 to be able to send them submissions.

I have a few coins submitted to PCGS currently, one of which is a Canadian small cent struck on a foreign planchet, and for that single error, it cost upwards of $250.00 CAD (shipping both ways included).

In total, you would be looking at $350.00 CAD minimum.

For me, I don't think it's plated because of the magnetic pull I can feel. It's weak, but there, and I'm not sure a thin nickel plating would have the same effect. Cupronickels from the 80s at a 75/25 Cu/Ni ratio don't have any pull at all and it's my thinking that that extra 15ish percent nickel does just enough to allow for it.

I still say that you should find a different XRF, maybe a University or school, that isn't set-up for Au & Ag primarily. There is someone on this site who has access to one and maybe he will chime in. If not, just call around for a pro model, so you know that you are chasing the real thing.

For really cool coins you must choose a major auction and not their regular monthly auctions simply there is more eyeballs on the major events as mentioned. PCGS I assume is using a 100 K XRF a more powerful machine, although if you watch the Oak Island treasure show they are using some high end XRF used by museum or university, good luck !