1972 ZINC OR NICKEL PENNY

ROLLINS

ANYONE EVER HEAR OF SUCH AN ANIMAL? ITS A 1972 PENNY BUT ITS NOT IN COPPER, ITS IN ZINC OR NICKEL. CAN ANY ONE HELP MY IN FINDING OUT WHAT THIS IS WORTH??
THANKS IN ADVANCE.
ROLLINS,

itsnotjustme

Here are three possibilities...

Struck on a dime planchet (weight would verify/ should have copper inner clad layer on rim) Nice value
Plated after striking (would weigh slightly more--possibly undetectably more--than a copper cent) No Value
Experimental Aluminum Cent - Watch for the secret service knocking on your door

Plated is the most likely, followed by wrong planchet.

ROLLINS

THE S.S.? THEY CANT BE THAT SERIOUS OVER A PENNY, CANT THEY?

itsnotjustme

When gov't property is stolen from the treasury department? Yes. There are stories of 1974 aluminum cents that were struck as experiments, and some of them left the mint illegally.

itsnotjustme

p.s. Welcome to the boards!

As a nice gesture to others who read your posts, try turning CAPSLOCK off and using proper case. It is much easier to read.

ROLLINS

ooooh POOP! what dollar value are we talkin about?? its in great shape. should i get rid of it?

itsnotjustme

Cent on Dime Planchet on e-bay

cladking

Welcome aboard. No '73 or '74 experimental planchet has been sold yet, but
would probably command close to six figures. These older cents are sometimes
found with a coating of mercury on them. They'll appear shiny and might even
feel slippery.

wayneherndon

If it is mercury plated, it is best not to handle it too much with your bare hands. Mercury is toxic and can be absorbed through the skin.

I echo itsnotjustme's list of the possibilities with Mercury being a likely substance if it is #2. One can plate a coin with mercury simply by rolling a ball of liquid mercury around on the surface of the coin. It will stick to the coin which makes it a simple process (though possibly dangerous) requiring no special equipment.

WH

coppercoins

All 250,000 (roughly) aluminum cents were struck in 1974 with 1974 dies. A few dozen were handed out to congressional members, and most were retrieved. All struck examples minus the few that were not retrieved from congress members were destroyed. A silver colored 1972 cent would either have to be on a dime planchet, foreign planchet, or plated after it left the mint.

cladking

There were 1973 aluminum cents struck, but it's possible that none survive.

richbeat

Actually the 1974 aluminum cents were struck beginning October 17, 1973. The first run of 1974 aluminum cents were struck until March 29, 1974. A second run of 1974 aluminum cents were struck from April 12 until May 30, 1974. On May 28 and 30 a handful of aluminum cents dated 1975 were struck. A few of these aluminum cents were handed out to congressional members and cabinet members that were directly involved in the debate on whether to change the composition to aluminum due to rising copper prices. When that crisis passed and it was decided not to change the composition, all aluminum cents that were handed out were ordered returned to the mint and the cents were melted. Of course not all of them were returned. One of the congressional members turned his over to the Smithsonian. Frank Gasparro had one in his desk drawer before he died. Two of the aluminum cents dated 1975 are outstanding.

Conder101

And the number of 1974 aluminum cents produced was 1,579,324.

presleyh

Send it to me, Its probably worthless, I will destroy it for you.

ROLLINS

it does not have the mercury coating, and i really dont think its nickel based. it doesnt have that nickel shine to it. its in really great shape. can anyone tell me where i can have it appraised at? or tell me what its actually worth?
thanx again Rollins,

coinguy1

Rollins, I'd recommend that you call Fred Weinberg at 818 986-3733. I bet he'll be able to help you out.

ROLLINS

thanks, will do

Girldly

What did you end up doing with that special 1972 Penny?

ricko

Yes.... We would like to know 'The rest of the story'.....Unlikely though, since the OP has not returned in nineteen years. Cheers, RickO

MarkKelley

Dead thread, Fred.

Otagg

I also have a 1972 mint mark s Lincoln penny in uncirculated condition but it looks silver?? Any ideas on how this could exist?or what it’s worth?

jonathanb

There are many ways that it could exist. One simple way is if someone took a normal coin worth one cent and dipped it in mercury. At that point it would still be worth one cent, and it would be poisonous also.

If you think you want a different answer, you need to post pictures in a few days when you are allowed to do so.