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1981 D penny silver finish

CoinRaz24CoinRaz24 Posts: 40
edited October 22, 2025 7:22AM in Q & A Forum

Not sure but this is an error right? The weight is 3.1g that seems normal for the year but the finish is silver at least it looks silver thinking this coin was struck on a dime blank not penny blank.

Pictures don’t do it justice so my buddy uploaded a video



https://youtube.com/shorts/7dyuDOdzt2E?si=7XbtJUWxQ7ijKYqt

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Comments

  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 6,004 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Plated novelty item.

    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.
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 38,609 ✭✭✭✭✭

    plated

    we roll hunters see them from time to time

  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,875 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Or it could just be plated since it is already the correct weight of a Lincoln cent. I'm trying to be polite here.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 38,609 ✭✭✭✭✭

    silver dime - 2.5 grams
    current dimes - 2.268 grams

  • IkesTIkesT Posts: 4,163 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Finding Mint errors is not for you; just enjoy your coin collection as is.

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 13,088 ✭✭✭✭✭

  • GivaudanGivaudan Posts: 1,170 ✭✭✭✭✭

    ^

  • Aspie_RoccoAspie_Rocco Posts: 3,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Possibly heat toned. A low temperature torch or gas tip can make copper cents go silvery looking.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 17,261 ✭✭✭✭✭

    OP....you really need to study up on the minting process. Just because a coin looks different does not mean it is an error.

    You indicated that you thought your cent was struck on a dime planchet, but that is impossible due to: weight (normal for a cent), color (doesn't look to me like a dime), and full strike (it is unlikely that a cent would be so fully struck if it was on a dime planchet). Also, if it was a dime planchet the edge would show the three clad layers.

    There are many older and current threads about errors and "strange looking" coins. You should read through them to learn what errors and damaged/altered coins look like.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 31,387 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Plated coin (a heavy plate to)

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 44,949 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Plated (chromed), from the looks of it. This was often done for jewelry purposes or novelty items.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • Coins3675Coins3675 Posts: 1,054 ✭✭✭✭

    Plated with something.

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