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merc49
Penny Sorter Member
88 Posts |
 Posted - 05/14/2009 : 14:52:06
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I found 1998 zinc penny without any copper on it. It looks a lot like the old 1943 steel pennies. Would this be worth anything?
Thanks
Merc49
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Corsair
Penny Hoarding Member
811 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2009 : 20:08:12
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| I found something very similar a few months ago. At first I thought it was a 1943, but it had the Memorial reverse. I don't remember if the date was visible or not; it went right into the safe, and I haven't seen it since. |
So long, Realcent 1. Come visit us at Realcent.org! |
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NotABigDeal
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2009 : 20:20:46
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Good news and bad news: Bad news first. Probably dipped in mercury, or something to strip the copper layer off. Good news is that it is worth at least 1¢....
Deal |
Live free or die.
Plain and simple.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your council or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams |
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fb101
Administrator
USA
2856 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2009 : 21:07:10
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| Could it be missing the copper layer? Is the strike clear or deformed? |
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smartinson
Penny Collector Member
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 08:44:42
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Just found a 2000 zinc with no copper. Was in a roll of coins that were mostly 2007 & 2008. Very good condition, close to BU.
Good news, not a washer lol. Any value to this one. |
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merc49
Penny Sorter Member
88 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 09:06:06
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| The strike is clear, on closer inspection I can see a little copper color in a couple places. Didn't know you could strip the copper with mercury. Why would someone do that? |
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slickeast
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2533 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 11:46:28
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It is probably dipped in a light coating of mercury. Don't lick your fingers after touching it. I once found a 1974 that was dipped. I thought I found a steel till I looked at the date....nope a 1974.
Why a 1974 you ask?
Well I guess it might have been a coinsidence but I think they were trying to make it look like an aluminum penny that was only made in 1974 then destoyed.
There are a few in hiding and one at the Smithsonian Institution.
You must be logged in to see this link.(United_States_coin)
During the early 1970s, the price of copper rose to a point where the cent almost contained more than one cent's worth of copper. This led the Mint to test alternate metals, including aluminum and bronze-clad steel. Aluminum was chosen, and over 1.5 million of these cents were struck and ready for public release before ultimately being rejected. The proposed aluminum cents were rejected due to two factors. Vending machine owners complained the coins would cause mechanical problems. Pediatricians and pediatric radiologists pointed out the radiodensity of the metal inside the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts was close to that of soft tissue and therefore would be difficult to detect in a roentgenogram.[1] About a dozen aluminum cents are believed to still be in the hands of collectors, although they are now considered illegal, subject to seizure by the Secret Service.[citation needed] One aluminum cent was donated to the Smithsonian Institution. |
You don't have to be the BEST you just have to be.......SLICK
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Sharkman
Penny Sorter Member
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 12:17:08
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| I came across a similar 1973 Lincoln cent that looked like steel. It even has scratch marks on it form a jeweler's file. I wasn't quite sure what it could have been. I would have got my hopes up if it was a 1974. I guess it has been dipped in mercury. No other explanation that I can think off. It really does look like a steel cent at first glance. |
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smartinson
Penny Collector Member
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 12:34:15
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| How can you tell if it has been dipped in mercury? |
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Cerulean
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 14:05:52
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| Is it possible that the copper coating has tarnished or corroded to the point of appearing black or gray? I've seen many cents like that. |
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Zinc penny with no copper?
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