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I can’t see this being possible 0.8 gm wheat cent

PppPpp Posts: 510 ✭✭✭✭

I just picked up a bunch of error coins and this was in the lot. A 1941 copper cent weighing only 0.8 grams.
It is very thin and the diameter is smaller than a normal wheat.

My initial thought was someone used acid to eat away but I think to get to this thickness and weight there would be no details left on the cent.

Any ideas how this could have happened?

Comments

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,443 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 16, 2024 4:14PM

    I think it's an acid treated cent. Kids in science class back in the 60's, would dip them in some type of acid. The acid would reduce the coins down to the size of a dimes. Then they would spend them in soda and candy machines.

    I have one here somewhere.

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,242 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Acid treated. If the acid removes 0.1 mm of metal from the head, it will also remove 0.1 mm of metal from the field. Ditto the next 0.1.mm, and the next, etc. The head remains. Everything gets blurry, but the design remains recognizable.

    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.
  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I love when I know the answer before I open the thread or see the actual coin.
    Acid treated ✔️

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • PppPpp Posts: 510 ✭✭✭✭

    Thank you for the comments. It makes sense to me. 🙂

  • pcgs69pcgs69 Posts: 4,331 ✭✭✭✭

    I got a few beach wheat cents found metal detecting that are pretty thin too.

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,443 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's mine. I think!

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

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