Is this for real? (powder keg strap coin)

BigGreek

Link

MSD61

This can't be true????? I have never heard of such a thing. I know that powder keg straps were constructed out of brass or bronze. These large cents where struck from copper.

Placid

tlhoy

Hellava cleaning job, it looks like it was once a high grade corroded coin that was dipped in acid for a long time.

MSD61

I was thinking the same thing too tlhoy a major clean job.

Trooper

this must be a 1914 d powder keg coin also..
1914 d

Conder101

Some of the early cents WERE made from the copper bands that held kegs together, but the copper was melted, cast rolled and blanked at the mint. And the 1798 cents were struck on mainly Boulton planchets. This S-187 is probably on a Boulton planchet and it looks like someone has been goofing around with an awl on it.

BigGreek

Either that or someone sneezed on it 200 years ago

Shamika

Actually, copper isn't a bad material to use for gun powder keg straps since it is a non sparking metal. However, brass or bronze would be better than copper since they have better wear resistance and tensile strength.

MSD61

Most, if not all, bands made for powder kegs; especially for Naval munitions or any place where the kegs would be subject to heavy movement were made of brass or bronze. Not only for the wear resistance and tensile strength but to keep the risk of sparks down. Steel would cause sparks if it came in contact with each other and with black powder being weird in certain humid conditions one spark is all it would take to blow a magazine. Sorry for being OT

JadeRareCoin

Here's the text from the auction:

Here's a nice coin I have had laying around for a while. I like it because technically it grades VF with no damage. THIS COIN HAS NO CORROSION!!!! "Sure," you say, then what the heck are those spots? Those "Spots" were there when the coin was minted, which is why there is no cooberating corrosion. This coin is one of the gun powder keg strap coins where the US government used old powder keg straps to make planchets. Unfortunately many of these kegs were in the bilge area crossing the salty seas, so many came out pitted. This is one of the few I have ever had that I think would certify as a powder keg coin, precisely because there is no accomanying corrosion. This coin Lists at $260 Bid in the Coin Dealer News Letter wholesale, and $150 in fine. Check the detail on this coin: Lots of hair detail, full bust drapery, a full eye, and a full ribbon at thr back of the hair. All clean detail, not marred by corrosion. Thank you for stopping by to take a look, I appreciate it,------------------------Hal



I just had to share the auction text as it is hilarious. I wonder if he really believes that story. BTW, what does "cooberating" mean?

Thanks for sharing the link.....I needed a good laugh. Of course, it's not too funny for the high bidder.

JadeRareCoin

.........oh, it is true that some supplies of copper came from spoiled cents, scrap copper, trimmings and other miscellaneous sources. The first few shipments of 1798 cents were struck on planchets made from the poor quality scraps, according to Breen. Unfortunately for the seller, his cent is S-187, which is one of the LAST 1798 cents struck. And, as Conder101 stated, his cent was struck on a high quality (relatively speaking) Boulton planchet. S-187 is also the MOST COMMON 1798 variety.

BigGreek

Yea, after reading that story about poweder kegs crossing the sea.
I just pictured some pitted copper strapping being pulled off and
punched to make planchets by a bunch of old pirates. Arrrggg!!

dorkkarl

it's phony baloney. that coin's a damaged piece of crap.

K S