Help Identifying Penny

j_chandler

Hello all,

This is my first post here. I’m trying to identify what seems to be a heavily mis-stamped penny. It looks like a blank copper chip with the pressing of GOD WE and NE CE, the latter of which I take to be part of “one cent”. There’s also just the top of what I think is Lincoln’s hair. The rim of the chip is raised, like the rim of a penny, and it appears to have something marked on it, though what it is is too small for me to read. Said markings could just be chips or wear marks. Any help in figuring out what this is would be greatly appreciated. I don’t think it’s worth anything; I’m just curious as to what it is.

IkesT

Your coin is a Lincoln cent that was struck off center; this is a type of Mint error. Genuine mint errors are collectible and do have extra value. I suggest keeping this coin in a 2x2 holder or coin flip to protect it.

Here is a link to sold listings on eBay, if you want to see more examples and what they have sold for:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=lincoln+cent+off+center&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

Greenstang

Welcome to the forum

That is known as an off centre strike. It happens when the planchet is not fully engaged in the striking chamber. Yours looks to be about 80% off. It is an error and probably be worth about $10.00 to someone who collects these.

j_chandler

Neat. Thanks for the info. I’ll probably get a holder and keep it as a novelty.

Side question: is a coin like this, which barely has any markings on it to distinguish it from a chunk of copper plated zinc, still considered legal tender? Not that I’m going to use it as such, but I’m curious if one could legally claim that something that’s barely removed from a nondescript piece of metal is a penny for tender purposes.

IkesT

@j_chandler said:
Neat. Thanks for the info. I’ll probably get a holder and keep it as a novelty.

Side question: is a coin like this, which barely has any markings on it to distinguish it from a chunk of copper plated zinc, still considered legal tender? Not that I’m going to use it as such, but I’m curious if one could legally claim that something that’s barely removed from a nondescript piece of metal is a penny for tender purposes.

Yes, it is legal tender, but the likely problem is that your average cashier would probably not know enough to recognize it as a coin.

WAYNEAS

@j_chandler Welcome aboard.
That is a nice pickup.
How did you come by it?
Wayne

Steven59

85-90% (?) off center struck Lincoln cent - Nice error coin.