More 1943 bronze cents to search for....
RWB
Posts: 8,082 ✭
If you are searching bags of cents for 1943 bronze examples, you can also look for some of these experimental pieces made at the Philadelphia Mint.
PS: This is only a small part of the research results for WW-II coinage experiments. The detailed information will be in my next book – published whenever I can find time to finish it.
PS: This is only a small part of the research results for WW-II coinage experiments. The detailed information will be in my next book – published whenever I can find time to finish it.
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www.brunkauctions.com
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Two questions.
1) The coins in the first line ("struck from coated stock")... Were the metal strips coated, or the blanks? Thus, would the edges be showing copper or steel?
2) The coins in the second line, and the coins in the first if it were the blanks that were copper coated... Would there be anyway to differentiate them from the numerous 1943 steel cents plated in the aftermarket?
And let's add a third question.
3) Have any of the known 1943 bronze cents been tested with regards to composition and thus may show if they may be any of these experimental varieties?
Ed. S.
(EJS)
The zinc coated steel was coated with copper by Apollo Metal Works, then delivered to the Philadelphia Mint where planchets and 15 experimental coins were made.
2) The coins in the second line, and the coins in the first if it were the blanks that were copper coated... Would there be any way to differentiate them from the numerous 1943 steel cents plated in the aftermarket?
The Mint provided some normal 1943 cents to Apollo, and they coated the coins with copper. The point of these experiments was to determine if coin color could be modified so the coated steel cents would not be confused with dimes. Other experiments were done using “copperweld” (copper coated steel), and antimony and molybdenum coatings plus several chromium-based coatings.
I doubt there is any way to be sure a magnetic, copper-looking 1943 is original and not a modern novelty.
3) Have any of the known 1943 bronze cents been tested with regards to composition and thus may show if they may be any of these experimental varieties?
I doubt it. This is the first time anyone has seen this information in detail. There is much more to the 1941-44 experiments, but collectors will have to wait for the book – in a couple of years.
Heritage Auctions, Lot 7815, 2003 May Long Beach Signature Sale #324
"1941 1C Cent--85% Copper, 12% Zinc, 3% Tin Alloy--XF40 NGC. 51.70 grains. Lincoln Cents prior to 1943 are expected to weigh 48 grains and have an alloy of 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc. This slightly overweight Cent has an excess of zinc in the alloy, which may help provide its bright olive-green color. Lincoln's cheekbone has rub, but the surfaces are problem-free. (#2693)"
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[1941 experimental pieces made:
12/23/1941 5 pieces 75% Cu, 25% Zn: 1941 1-cent dies.]
None of the pieces made by non-mint companies were restricted in any way - just experimental junk.
It’s impossible to tell what officials did or said with any reliability. My opinion is that all of these experimental and pattern pieces are legal to own.
<< <i>1) The coins in the first line ("struck from coated stock")... Were the metal strips coated, or the blanks? Thus, would the edges be showing copper or steel?
The zinc coated steel was coated with copper by Apollo Metal Works, then delivered to the Philadelphia Mint where planchets and 15 experimental coins were made.
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So this should mean that these coins would have copper faces and steel edges, sort of having an "inverse-clad" look.
Ed. S.
(EJS)