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Steel? 1909 VDB Penny
Heaton0825
Posts: 9 ✭
Good evening everyone,
I found this 1909 VDB penny a while back and I have not been able to get any real answers about it.. It looks as though it is steel just like the war time pennies. I have uploaded a picture of the one that looks like its steel (the coin in question) along with a regular one just to show the difference. Has anyone seen anything like this? I find it hard to believe someone would go and dip the coin in something. Possible mint error? Any help or theories would be greatly appreciated!
(Pictures are from a Microscope)
-Heaton0825
1
Comments
There are quite a few test scratches on the suspect coin, so you are not the first person to notice this.
People are going to ask if you have the ability to weigh the coin.
It weighs just around 3 grams
No problem asking for advice, and you provided good photos. but I can't get past the above comment.
You find it hard to believe that someone would dip (plate) the coin, but you have an easier time believing the mint made a steel cent in 1909??
Lots and lots of coins have been plated over the years for many reasons or for no reason at all.
Does your coin stick to a magnet? If not then you can rule out steel.
As already mentioned, the weight will be key.
I suspect that it is plated with something, but if it were an off-metal coin I'd suspect silver or nickel alloy before steel, but the strike looks good so it does not look like a wrong planchet error.
We'll see what others say.
It was plated at some point after it left the mint. Your weight approximation also indicates that it's a standard copper planchet (3.11 gms)
And welcome to the Forum!
A standard bronze small Cent is 3.11 grams.
Zinc coated steel Cent of 1943 is 2.70 grams.
Modern copper coated zinc Cent is 2.50 grams.
Very good points lol. I am a small-time collector and was really just intrigued by it. Thanks for your comment!
Thank You!
Bleach or E-Z-Zest (commercial coin cleaning fluid) or other chemicals might produce a similar lightening of the surfaces. Need not be especially 'plated'.
The Microscope picture kind of makes it look much lighter compared to in person, but thats a possibility. I've never seen a bleached or cleaned coin like that. Thanks for your thoughts!
Now why don't you post a thread about the coin in your avatar!
Interesting topic! Hi and Welcome to School! I say school because you'll be taught in many areas. Such as in ethics, manners and in business. You came to the right place to learn about coins in general. Many members here are very knowledgeable in all coins. Don't be afraid to ask any questions and post often! Remember the most important thing is to have FUN. Congrats. on joining our Forum. I usually greet new members this way, using a school, to describe the Forum. You will most probably be the last member I greet for the closing year of 2019. Also the last for the decade! Once again, welcome to the Forum.-joey
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maybe it was rubbed with Mercury back in the day before it was bad for your health? Just my guess. some tried to pass them off as dimes when giving a lot of change to buy something more than penny candy.
I’ve never heard of that lol. Very interesting!
Agree with @1Bufffan and others.
Likely silver plated or it could be immersion plated with mercury.
I have done both to much cheaper coins in my lifetime.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Heat will cause that look also.
@Heaton0825....Welcome aboard.... When I was a kid, we often coated cents with mercury...just rubbed them with the liquid and it adhered, making the cent look 'silver'....Cheers, RickO