1976 penny "IA" engraving

InTheCrease

I am just getting into collecting and am really enjoying going through rolls of pennies. I have found quite a few interesting things. I have gotten the hang of the scanner and posting the photos here, so I am going to share some of what I've found.

I have no clue about any of it, really, and appreciate the knowledge and input here for what exactly I'm looking at.

On this one, my guess is someone in Iowa practicing their engraving skills? or a modern love token? What's yours?

Cheers,

JupitarCoins

I havent seen that before but I saw one with the same year that had Kennedy's portrait in the same location.

edix2001

Novelty state counterstamp. Very popular in the 1970s, like the penny in a bottle gizmo, or the facing Kennedy profile counterstamp.

NewParadigm

Internal affairs? Lol

LanceNewmanOCC

.
whole sets of 50 states exist for these, and A LOT of them are out there
.

WoodenJefferson

1976 was our nations Bicentennial, enterprising companies jumped on the craze and made these counter stamps of the 50 states with the states outline and the abbreviation. I have seen many, some are rarer than others, I have yet to see an Alaska or Hawaii counterstamp.

Baley

collect 'em all!

InTheCrease

Wow. Some great knowledge and info here. Thanks

cladking

<< <i>.
whole sets of 50 states exist for these, and A LOT of them are out there
. >>



Indeed. There are ar least four different series of them.

The attrition on these is very high though. A large number hit circulation or the garbage. The
advertising at the time did hit the general press a little so figure "mintages" in the tens of thou-
sands and almost no demand at all.

Not all the different counterstamps of the era are especially common and the one pictured is
one I don't see quite as often.

Collectors tend to see them as damaged coins so there might never be much interest and for
the main part the mintages will assure a fairly good supply for the foreseeable future barring
the improbable like them becoming popular.