mikebyers.com Dealer in Major Mint Errors, Die Trials & Patterns - Author of NLG Best World Coin Book World's Greatest Mint Errors - Publisher & Editor of minterrornews.com.
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.
Would you happen to have a photo of your Lincoln Cent? If so, after you have been a member for a couple of days. Copy your photo and paste it into you post. Welcome to the forum.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
If you post photos of it here, we might be able to
save you $75 or so........
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.
You might be able to post a photo now, if so, please post a straight on(no angles) of the whole coin obverse and reverse. As Fred mentioned their are many here who might help before you spend the money, not to mention the considerable time. Weight of the coin would be a great help also.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
@MsMorrisine said:
If it is nickel plated, it may stick to a strong magnet
If it's a steelie with any kind of plating, I'd expect it to stick to just about any magnet.
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@wadeatchison said:
Thank you for your input. I will be sending it to PCGS for authentication in the next few days
That is probably a mistake.
I agree. I would first try the magnet test. Then I would check the weight and compare with various planchet weights. Most of these are plated novelties and these two tests will help you determine that before throwing $100 at a penny worth one cent.
@wadeatchison said:
Thank you for your input. I will be sending it to PCGS for authentication in the next few days
You definitely should spend money on this endevour. You definitely got feedback indicating that was the appropriate course of action. I am definitely being sarcastic.
No scale or magnet needed - we can tell if it's
plated or not from decent photos, please.
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.
@wadeatchison .... Welcome aboard. You would do well to post pictures here for evaluation before you send the coin to the TPG. It could save you cash. Cheers, RickO
Plating a coin was a common science experiment in schools at one time. A nice chemistry lesson, and the student got to take their experiment home (sometimes to be spent later)
"Reprocessed" is how they sold it to us years ago.
It was common to see "reprocessed" steel cents, often by the roll, for sale in ads back in the 1950s and 1960s. The steelies found in circulation typically looked terrible. Now I almost never see them advertised, although there must be tons of "reproccessed" steel cents out there somewhere.
Comments
No
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
You might run across a plated example from time to time.
Not steel but struck on a dime silver planchet
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Or Clad😉
The OP's coin is plated, I'd strongly guess
I've never seen one and I don't know of anyone I trust saying they have seen one.
Might be Mercury coated.
If so, it is a bit dangerous if swallowed.
peacockcoins
Would you happen to have a photo of your Lincoln Cent? If so, after you have been a member for a couple of days. Copy your photo and paste it into you post. Welcome to the forum.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Thank you for your input. I will be sending it to PCGS for authentication in the next few days
@wadeatchison, please report back after you receive it back from PCGS. Also please post pictures - many would like to see!
If you post photos of it here, we might be able to
save you $75 or so........
You might be able to post a photo now, if so, please post a straight on(no angles) of the whole coin obverse and reverse. As Fred mentioned their are many here who might help before you spend the money, not to mention the considerable time. Weight of the coin would be a great help also.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Photos, please.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
In the mean time. Here’s my 1943 steelie for my type set.
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
>
plated
That is probably a mistake.
Maybe 🙀. Fills a hole in my odds and ends type set. I’ve got AT coins and proofs. Just all mixed together. I collect what I like. 😉
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
What Fred said above
What Fred said above
@wadeatchison "I will be sending it to PCGS for authentication in the next few days"
You would be wise to do a little more research and to post photos here first.
Many things can make a coin appear to be something it isn't.
The penny & nickel here changed color because of heat.
It was a joke. They are all plated: zinc/steel
Just see if it sticks to a magnet before you send it in.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
actually it's not a joke.
it has been replated
"Reprocessed" is how they sold it to us years ago.
Does it stick to a magnet?
“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!
If it is nickel plated, it may stick to a strong magnet
If it's a steelie with any kind of plating, I'd expect it to stick to just about any magnet.
I see on the profile, the user is now a member and can copy-paste/drag-drop photos
A weight to at least tenths of a gram would help
I agree. I would first try the magnet test. Then I would check the weight and compare with various planchet weights. Most of these are plated novelties and these two tests will help you determine that before throwing $100 at a penny worth one cent.
You definitely should spend money on this endevour. You definitely got feedback indicating that was the appropriate course of action. I am definitely being sarcastic.
No scale or magnet needed - we can tell if it's
plated or not from decent photos, please.
OMG, is that a buffalo struck on a gold planchet?
Yes, but it WAS intended as a joke. They are all plated, even if not replated.
@davewesen "OMG, is that a buffalo struck on a gold planchet?"
Yep, solid gold!
I think it may have been done by the mint superintendent and a bored mint worker to release into circulation as a new exciting error.

Oh God - Love it VAM - My 1909 S PMD Bla Bla Bla - can I hijack this thread???
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
@wadeatchison .... Welcome aboard. You would do well to post pictures here for evaluation before you send the coin to the TPG. It could save you cash. Cheers, RickO
I have a very weak magnet in my office, it sticks but not real strong
Thanks everyone. I agree it is probably fake but......
If Google says it exists, it has to be true.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
It was plated after it left the mint.
Plating a coin was a common science experiment in schools at one time. A nice chemistry lesson, and the student got to take their experiment home (sometimes to be spent later)
Plated
Obviously plated. It may have once been part of some cheap jewelry item.
There you go............ everybody that responded just saved you alot of money on grading fees - first round of drinks is on you -
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
It was common to see "reprocessed" steel cents, often by the roll, for sale in ads back in the 1950s and 1960s. The steelies found in circulation typically looked terrible. Now I almost never see them advertised, although there must be tons of "reproccessed" steel cents out there somewhere.
My Adolph A. Weinman signature

Belly up to the bar my friends !!!!! Thank you so much for saving me the cost ( and embarrassment ) of sending it in
Still would like to hear weight and whether magnetic or not. Just for curiosity's sake.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain