Anyone know the value of a 1963 steel? penny...

SunnySiestaSal

Hi, my daughter found a 1963 penny which appears to be steel or silver. We're not really coin collectors and were wondering about its value. There's no mint mark below the date. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks much.

klorineforbrains

why all italices? The cent is probably plated. Not worth much. Sorry.

mozeppa

welcome newby!

its probably plated....on rare occasion they were struck on a dime planchet...(very rare...and valueable!)

BowTieCoins2

Can you put a pic up?

DorkGirl

TUMUSS

wam98

morgannut2

Welcome! Steel is magnetic.

nankraut

Welcome to the forum. Regarding your penny, It's possible that it wasn't copper plated before striking, as it was supposed to be. Since 1982, the cent core is zinc, you know, which is a "steel" color. A picture would really help.

Edited: whoops! I didn't read your message closely enough; you say it's a 1963; so disregard my comments.

ms70

It may have been plated with something such as mercury. It was apparently a common school science project back then.

SunnySiestaSal

Hope this scanned photo goes through... we checked and the penny is not magnetic nor is it the same size as a dime, so I guess that it's just one that never received its coating.

Tootawl

Here ya go:

SunnySiestaSal

Thanks!

astrorat

Is that a cent "cleaned" with mercury? It's been a long time since I have seen one . . .

Lane

SunnySiestaSal

Could be... never knew that mercury was used in that manner. Do you know why this was done? Just curious...

klorineforbrains

<< <i>It may have been plated with something such as mercury. It was apparently a common school science project back then. >>

nwcs

Definitely a post mint alteration. The mint didn't start releasing copper plated zinc cents to circulation until 1982. The mercury dipping was a common science experiment, though we didn't do that when I was growing up. But I think my brother did.

Shamika

Actually, the coin appears to be nickel plated. It's a common experiment in freshman chemistry classes around the country.

Jdurg

In my junior year chemistry class in high school we heated a copper penny in a solution of powdered zinc and concentrated sodium hydroxide. The results was a silver/steel colored penny. We would then heat the penny in a strong flame and it would turn brassy in color and look like gold. Chances are, it's a penny plated in zinc or some other dirt cheap metal like tin. If it is a mercury dipped penny, then I would strongly advise against touching it too much as mercury is a nasty little element. If you heat the penny and you see little drips starting to come off of it, then it was mercury dipped.

Nancy

I have a 1963 penny that’s silver in color and shiny. Is it more than likely the result of a science project? Also would the weight of the coin say anything about what it’s made of? It looks like copper may be underneath from the way a small spot on the rim looks but I can’t be for certain . Can anyone tell me anything about this coin? I would appreciate it
Thank you, Nancy

JBK

@Nancy said:
I have a 1963 penny that’s silver in color and shiny. Is it more than likely the result of a science project? Also would the weight of the coin say anything about what it’s made of? It looks like copper may be underneath from the way a small spot on the rim looks but I can’t be for certain . Can anyone tell me anything about this coin? I would appreciate it
Thank you, Nancy

Hello.

You should ideally start a new thread rather than resurrect a 16 year old one. But in any case it shows you were trying to do your research.

Your coin is almost certainly plated but pictures and weight would help confirm.

ricko

@Nancy...Welcome aboard. Your cent is likely plated with mercury, or other element - even silver plating. Pictures would be good... but also weigh the coin and let us know. Cheers, RickO

MsMorrisine

Need pictures

gumby1234

Plated most likely. Weight would still be within tolerance so that wouldn't help. Pictures would.

Jdavis1102

Anyone know the value of a 1963 steel penny? It is steel as it is able to be picked up with a magnet.

coinbuf

@Jdavis1102 said:
Anyone know the value of a 1963 steel penny? It is steel as it is able to be picked up with a magnet.

Unfortunately you do not have a steel cent. As was the case with all the previous coins in this thread, your coin has been plated, coins with a nickel plating will react to a magnet.

Fraz

I made those with the mercury from a Nu-Grape thermometer.

CoinHoarder

@Jdavis1102 said:
Anyone know the value of a 1963 steel penny? It is steel as it is able to be picked up with a magnet.

MrBluster

@astrorat said:
Is that a cent "cleaned" with mercury? It's been a long time since I have seen one . . .

Lane

That’s what I thought.

Che_Grapes

Does it look like this?
Could be worth millions….!!!

Who cares about the details - never let those “pesky facts” get in the way of a good story, my friend!