A possibility: it may have been chrome or nickel plated and then gilt and put in a charm bracelet.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@CaptHenway said:
A possibility: it may have been chrome or nickel plated and then gilt and put in a charm bracelet.
I wouldn't think that a thin plating (or even a thick plating) would be enough to make a coin magnetic. I'm surprised no one has asked what the coin weighs.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
There is a good chance it was plated as @CaptHenway said. Cr and Ni are commonly used in plating and will stick to a magnet. In some instances, nickel is used as an intermediate layer because other metals (gilt?) Will adhere better to it than to the base metal.
I still find it hard to believe that a microscopic layer of nickel would be enough to make a copper cent attractive to a magnet. In 1964, was the US Mint making coins on contract for a foreign government? If so, were any foreign coins being struck on copper plated steel planchets?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@wadecagle ....Welcome aboard.... @PerryHall raises good questions....At the least, you have a badly damaged, plated cent....at best, perhaps a badly damaged cent on a planchet intended for another country...either way, in that condition, it will have no additional numismatic premium. Cheers, RickO
@CaptHenway said:
A possibility: it may have been chrome or nickel plated and then gilt and put in a charm bracelet.
I wouldn't think that a thin plating (or even a thick plating) would be enough to make a coin magnetic. I'm surprised no one has asked what the coin weighs.
@CaptHenway said:
A possibility: it may have been chrome or nickel plated and then gilt and put in a charm bracelet.
I wouldn't think that a thin plating (or even a thick plating) would be enough to make a coin magnetic. I'm surprised no one has asked what the coin weighs.
This is the best advice. Get the weight.
It does look plated, which would explain the color. The magnetism, not so much. But if it weighs correctly for a 1964 cent, it is probably a 1964 cent.
It is also possible it's counterfeit. The weight would also tell you that.
My best guess remains that it is @CaptHenway is correct: it was in some kind of jewelry. The edge damage is probably from it being cut out of the jewelry.
True Confessions: I did that to a coin once, not sure if it was a 1964-D or not. It was in a keychain that was broken, so I cut it out and tossed it in the coin star. Be hysterical if that were the same coin.
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
There are lots of damaged/altered coins posted
here as genuine, or with questions as to authenticity.
You can post whatever coin you'd like...however, if it's
damaged in circulation, expect to be told that in the
replies you'll receive.
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
Fred, I realize what you are saying, but as you can see, this is the first post from this person and he/she is curious to what they have (innocently). posts like the one above would make some people not want to post what they think may be a true error and drive them away from the hobby. Just my opinion.
@Rooster1 said:
Fred, I realize what you are saying, but as you can see, this is the first post from this person and he/she is curious to what they have (innocently). posts like the one above would make some people not want to post what they think may be a true error and drive them away from the hobby. Just my opinion.
+1000
If you don't like the thread, just don't comment. This continued sarcasm and rudeness to newbies who may be legitimately interested in learning something is really disappointing.
I re-read each sentence, and I don't see anything wrong with
what I said.
Please elaborate
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
@Rooster1 said:
Fred, I realize what you are saying, but as you can see, this is the first post from this person and he/she is curious to what they have (innocently). posts like the one above would make some people not want to post what they think may be a true error and drive them away from the hobby. Just my opinion.
Nonsense! First posts from new members about alleged errors are always a waste of time.
Take my first post here a few years ago. I had a funny looking nickel, inquired about it, and did not include photos. You can imagine the reception I got.
But them when I loaded he pics it was not only diagnosed as a 2016P flip-over-in-the-collar-double-strike, but a member was diligent enough to zoom and rotate my own photos to show that it was actually first struck in 2015 and then again in 2016. Needless to say I didn't mind the ribbing after that.
I think a lot of members get jaded, especially by trolls, but this is still the best place to come to get the most expert advice.
Back to the OPs topic. Still would like to see an edge pic.
Edit.
Many of these threads pop-up when queried by the various search engines and, IMO, this is one of the reasons many come here to ask their coin questions.
As usual, one should research as much as possible, but when the search engine points to CU then the next logical step is to do...
...more research; and...
...ask a question because one cannot find that one thread that has the answer.
Tons of information can be found here but if you do not know how to frame a query due to lack of coin knowledge you’ll go into a spiral leading nowhere.
Welcome aboard! So many old timers seem to be dropping out around here or not posting as much as in times past. Can't imagine why. We need new blood around here. Love those strange mysterious memorial pennies!!!!!!
WELCOME ABOARD!
@PerryHall said:
I still find it hard to believe that a microscopic layer of nickel would be enough to make a copper cent attractive to a magnet. In 1964, was the US Mint making coins on contract for a foreign government? If so, were any foreign coins being struck on copper plated steel planchets?
The US mint was producing coins for foreign govs but in 1964 there were no magnetic blanks used for any.
bob
Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
Answers
Don't have a clue except to add that whatever it is it is damaged beyond all hope. Must be a fake if it's magnetic
bob
Is it the coin that sticks to a magnet or the staples that’s on the flip? I’m stumped
Collector
91 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 56 members and counting!
instagram.com/klnumismatics
Is there pine sap on the magnet?
Smitten with DBLCs.
Color goes look odd, almost like it is plated.
I did hear about a counterfeit cent from this era.
You have $.01.
Consider the pocket change forum
Oh well, welcome anyway.
From CoinFacts:
Someone chopped and scrapped the coin to find out if it something special.
Obviously it was not. The reason? Because by now, it would have been certified/authenticated as something special. IMO
Seeing an edge pic might be interesting to see if anyone scrapped/cut the edge,..
A possibility: it may have been chrome or nickel plated and then gilt and put in a charm bracelet.
I wouldn't think that a thin plating (or even a thick plating) would be enough to make a coin magnetic. I'm surprised no one has asked what the coin weighs.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
There is a good chance it was plated as @CaptHenway said. Cr and Ni are commonly used in plating and will stick to a magnet. In some instances, nickel is used as an intermediate layer because other metals (gilt?) Will adhere better to it than to the base metal.
To put all that time and effort into making a counterfeit cent, only to find when you're finished that it won't buy anything.
I still find it hard to believe that a microscopic layer of nickel would be enough to make a copper cent attractive to a magnet. In 1964, was the US Mint making coins on contract for a foreign government? If so, were any foreign coins being struck on copper plated steel planchets?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@wadecagle ....Welcome aboard.... @PerryHall raises good questions....At the least, you have a badly damaged, plated cent....at best, perhaps a badly damaged cent on a planchet intended for another country...either way, in that condition, it will have no additional numismatic premium. Cheers, RickO
They are too busy making rude sarcastic comments
This is the best advice. Get the weight.
It does look plated, which would explain the color. The magnetism, not so much. But if it weighs correctly for a 1964 cent, it is probably a 1964 cent.
It is also possible it's counterfeit. The weight would also tell you that.
My best guess remains that it is @CaptHenway is correct: it was in some kind of jewelry. The edge damage is probably from it being cut out of the jewelry.
True Confessions: I did that to a coin once, not sure if it was a 1964-D or not. It was in a keychain that was broken, so I cut it out and tossed it in the coin star. Be hysterical if that were the same coin.
Maybe ali-express jewelry...
https://aliexpress.com/item/33034651514.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.23d71a2bDDxobp&algo_pvid=74c319fc-610b-431c-8862-3e9864ee07f5&algo_expid=74c319fc-610b-431c-8862-3e9864ee07f5-4&btsid=258a6ddc-c713-4373-a4dc-24fc6e86839c&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1,searchweb201603_52
Parking lot find.
A waste of a 2X2
BHNC #203
Buy the coin not the holder
Like in a cherished gift for that special lady?
Another new poster with a low value coin. There is a pattern.
I'm surprised no one has asked what the coin weighs.
See title of the OP!
Smitten with DBLCs.
Patterns are scarce. Usually not found in circulation.
Same pattern as the others – just a damaged cent
So what value does it need to be to post here?
No value needed at all.
What that meant was that it wasn't an error.
There are lots of damaged/altered coins posted
here as genuine, or with questions as to authenticity.
You can post whatever coin you'd like...however, if it's
damaged in circulation, expect to be told that in the
replies you'll receive.
Fred, I realize what you are saying, but as you can see, this is the first post from this person and he/she is curious to what they have (innocently). posts like the one above would make some people not want to post what they think may be a true error and drive them away from the hobby. Just my opinion.
+1000
If you don't like the thread, just don't comment. This continued sarcasm and rudeness to newbies who may be legitimately interested in learning something is really disappointing.
What did I say that was rude or sarcastic?
I re-read each sentence, and I don't see anything wrong with
what I said.
Please elaborate
Nonsense! First posts from new members about alleged errors are always a waste of time.
Take my first post here a few years ago. I had a funny looking nickel, inquired about it, and did not include photos. You can imagine the reception I got.
But them when I loaded he pics it was not only diagnosed as a 2016P flip-over-in-the-collar-double-strike, but a member was diligent enough to zoom and rotate my own photos to show that it was actually first struck in 2015 and then again in 2016. Needless to say I didn't mind the ribbing after that.

I think a lot of members get jaded, especially by trolls, but this is still the best place to come to get the most expert advice.
Fred, it was not you. I quoted another poster. For some reason you replied. Look at my original post.
P.S, - FW is pretty even tempered so I don't think anyone can complain about his input.
Back to the OPs topic. Still would like to see an edge pic.
Edit.
Many of these threads pop-up when queried by the various search engines and, IMO, this is one of the reasons many come here to ask their coin questions.
As usual, one should research as much as possible, but when the search engine points to CU then the next logical step is to do...
...more research; and...
...ask a question because one cannot find that one thread that has the answer.
Tons of information can be found here but if you do not know how to frame a query due to lack of coin knowledge you’ll go into a spiral leading nowhere.
Welcome aboard! So many old timers seem to be dropping out around here or not posting as much as in times past. Can't imagine why. We need new blood around here. Love those strange mysterious memorial pennies!!!!!!
WELCOME ABOARD!
Not you. A lot of others, on this thread and other threads
It’s odd with the lines like speaking and I have seen Hobo/Coin art coins made with that. I did one myself perhaps it’s a replica stock error ? Weird
This was a Hillary mistake one I did many years ago
Edit it was Debbie Wasserman. But point is it’s PMD
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
Looks like you may have a Chinese penny. Congrats!
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
BOOMIN!™
Wooooha! Did someone just say it's officially "TACO™" Tuesday????
The US mint was producing coins for foreign govs but in 1964 there were no magnetic blanks used for any.
bob