1977 Aluminum Cent - The Real Deal!

Zoins

There have been a number of aluminum Lincoln cents posted over the years. Some have been from the 1974 era and others are on foreign planchets.

Here's a really interesting 1977 aluminum Lincoln cent that that looks like its struck on a 1974-1975 planchet! And a nice thing is that it's in an older holder.

With over 1.5 million 1974 aluminum cents struck, it seems quite plausible for other planchets to be around in the Mint for this to be struck a few years later.

Can this be the most legit aluminum Lincoln cent that's available to own?

Mint Error News says the following:

This Unique 1977 Aluminum Cent is either:
• An Intentionally Made Mint Error
• On a Leftover Aluminum Planchet From 1974-1975
• A Pattern Struck in Aluminum

Here's the full article. I've been so busy, I missed when this was published!

https://minterrornews.com/features-7-17-20-unique-1977-lincoln-cent-struck-in-aluminum-at-the-philadelphia-mint.html

Jimnight

I wish I had one.
Thanks for the link.

ricko

Excellent article.... Thanks for the link. I have occasionally heard of an aluminum cent, but when asked to see it, the individuals never produced it for evaluation. Lost, or some excuse. I am still waiting on one individual who claims it may be at his 'winter home' down south. We shall see.... Cheers, RickO

redraider

For a cool $350,000, this one could be yours!!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274503441955?hash=item3fe9ae1e23:g:VL0AAOSwJVxgLCuY&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoO/I3tgZuw+coGQx+oEiedsXiy6pDLM5hKzKkSbiXsEOMCmFK4GSSLTi02BGQyGu2s5FsI/+gj/MIhguvU8XM/SoMlr7u0nE3sq0wsAEVw1uUef8Drm3Z/2X9r2d2hRUe8KEkrFR6DrVNa4dIUa8NVENylwLCGEet10jbzzmbRfPGzgOQogU4tRVS6kGFwYEx3PM3SH0qUt1Ur6pHnqRRT4=|tkp:Bk9SR4Kn3oikYQ

BStrauss3

I'm pretty sure you could reach out to Mike directly and save him the fleaBay fees. The coin is listed on his website.

keyman64

Rare? Yes. Kinda neat story? Yes. Attractive? No. If I had a spare $350K laying around to put into coins, would I put it into that? Umm, no.

johnny9434

that would even better in my collection, just saying

braddick

Hairlines and a black grease spot on the reverse.
Nah. I'll wait until a better one comes along.
/s

Mr Lindy

I think .93 grams is spec on illegal to buy, sell, or publicly trade 74 & 74D aluminum Cents.
That weight is off top off my head as it was a few years back when I looked up pcgs information on the one(s) they certified, before Gov't seizure.
Cool Error !

daltex

It also appears to be off center??

JBK

Now what if a 1974 planchet got lost in the production line and dislodged in 1975 or later. Would that be a legal off-metal error? 🤔

Zoins

@JBK said:
Now what if a 1974 planchet got lost in the production line and dislodged in 1975 or later. Would that be a legal off-metal error? 🤔

This seems to be a sweet spot as errors are generally legal to own.

Also very interesting that there’s only one coin like this.

goodmoney4badmoney

You get a bonus label error saying "alunimum" as well.

MWallace

@JBK said:
Now what if a 1974 planchet got lost in the production line and dislodged in 1975 or later. Would that be a legal off-metal error? 🤔

If released through normal channels, i.e. mint sealed bag, then yes. I think the mint would have to show that it was struck intentionally and smuggled out of the mint to legally confiscate it.

Dug13

Heritage just listed a1974-S aluminum cent. Current bid is around $1200.00.
The description states is the only known 1974-dated aluminum U.S. cent that is legal to own.
Lot # 3611.

Zoins

@Dug13 said:
Heritage just listed a1974-S aluminum cent. Current bid is around $1200.00.
The description states is the only known 1974-dated aluminum U.S. cent that is legal to own.
Lot # 3611.

That is a great coin too! That one is legal as a 1974 because it’s on a foreign planchet. This one isn’t a 1974 but is on a regular planchet. They are both cool but regular planchet is awesome.

asheland

Cool coin, but I like the aluminum Indian Head Cent patterns better, cheaper and legal to own. 👍

Zoins

@asheland said:
Cool coin, but I like the aluminum Indian Head Cent patterns better, cheaper and legal to own. 👍

That’s a nice design as well, but wait, this is legal too!

Shojohn

@Jimnight said:
I wish I had one.
Thanks for the link.

I know it's an old post but there's one on eBay for a cool half million if you want it LOL

Manifest_Destiny

@Shojohn said:

@Jimnight said:
I wish I had one.
Thanks for the link.

I know it's an old post but there's one on eBay for a cool half million if you want it LOL

It's the same coin.

Byers

The Great Collections auction of the 1974S proof Lincoln Cent struck on a foreign aluminum planchet realized $199,687.50

https://minterrornews.com/news-11-18-22-1974-s-lincoln-cent-struck-in-aluminum-to-be-auctioned-by-greatcollections.html

mr1931S

@keyman64 said:
Rare? Yes. Kinda neat story? Yes. Attractive? No. If I had a spare $350K laying around to put into coins, would I put it into that? Umm, no.

This homely penny would be incongruous to my collection which ends with the 1974 issues. If I found one in change, it definitely would be for sale.

IkesT

@mr1931S said:

@keyman64 said:
Rare? Yes. Kinda neat story? Yes. Attractive? No. If I had a spare $350K laying around to put into coins, would I put it into that? Umm, no.

This homely penny would be incongruous to my collection which ends with the 1974 issues. If I found one in change, it definitely would be for sale.

That's harsche.

mr1931S

@IkesT said:

@mr1931S said:

@keyman64 said:
Rare? Yes. Kinda neat story? Yes. Attractive? No. If I had a spare $350K laying around to put into coins, would I put it into that? Umm, no.

This homely penny would be incongruous to my collection which ends with the 1974 issues. If I found one in change, it definitely would be for sale.

That's harsche.

That's right, ikey. Looks like it spent some time on the pavement in a parking lot.

Byers

I will ask the Mint if it’s possible to strike a second one, and of course ask for it to be a minimum grade of MS 63!😉

Zoins

I was lucky enough to see this coin in-hand a while back. The coin has a strong strike and nice fields. If anything, it is undergraded. There are a few minor distractions, however, overall, the coin is quite enjoyale. Additionally, it is aluminum which can be more difficult to photograph, but very nice to amazing in hand, and I've seen many aluminum pieces over the years, both in hand and with photos to compare.

Beyond its physical condition, it is a unique US Mint coin related to the earlier aluminum cents and perhaps even struck on a 1974 aluminum cent planchet, which makes it very historical.

mr1931S

@Manifest_Destiny said:

@Shojohn said:

@Jimnight said:
I wish I had one.
Thanks for the link.

I know it's an old post but there's one on eBay for a cool half million if you want it LOL

It's the same coin.

What in the h is ALUNIMUM? Did scientists discover a new element?

mr1931S

MUNIMULA would make more sense.

IkesT

.