1944 D Wheat Penny Composition Question

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Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 438
Shatteredsky New Member United States 10 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 5:55 pm * Edited by Staff to Add Year and/or Mintmark and/or Denomination to Title. It's essential to have it in the title. * Hello everyone, I have a coin composition question. I have a 1944 D, Wheat cent that looks like it has bad environmental cup holder damage. Although I'm questioning some of it. For example, on the reverse, where it looks like a coin was sitting on top and made an outline, I see a die crack going from the outline through the O in one. I also noticed that the mint mark seems to be overstruck. That being said, my composition question is, I thought all 1944 D pennies were 95% copper/ 5% zinc/tin and were 3.11 grams. This one weighs 2.94 grams, looks plated, and a magnet doesn't stick to it. So, what is under the missing copper layer? Silver? Thank you for looking. I appreciate your input. Report this Post to the Staff

Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10492 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 5:57 pm Looks like a plated 44 cent that somebody put into acid to see what would happen - hence the light weight. Report this Post to the Staff
Shatteredsky New Member United States 10 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 6:20 pm I agree, but the 1944 D shouldn't be plated, it's supposed to be 95% copper. Or am I just not understanding how they are made? Report this Post to the Staff
-makecents- Pillar of the Community United States 8739 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 6:27 pm Corrosion at some point, by acid as Marve said or maybe spent time in the ground. That is the loss of weight part. Also plated at some point after leaving the mint. Maybe even paint or aluminum roof coating. All damage, none the less and nothing of worth. -makecents- Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 95322 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 7:01 pm I see a heavily damaged cent. 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
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 73874 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 7:07 pm Just a heavily damaged Wheat cent. It was plated, then put in acid. What you're seeing is all damage ( PMD). Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34397 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 7:34 pm @sha, we also occasionally see silver-colored cents of this era that were coated in mercury for a science experiment. That is a possibility with this one--but as others have noted, there are lots and lots of ways that coins get damaged once they leave the mint. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
Shatteredsky New Member United States 10 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 7:38 pm Great information, everyone. Thank you for your time. I'm learning a ton here. All data is good data. Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10492 Posts	Posted 08/10/2025 9:54 pm Remember the 1943 steel cents were plated copper as counterfeits just like the 1944 copper cents were plated silvery (zinc) to fool collectors. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187950 Posts	Posted 08/11/2025 10:48 am Quote: It was plated, then put in acid. Seems accurate. 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
	Replies: 9 / Views: 438

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