Anyone here ever find an Atheist Cent in circulation?

ajaan · July 30, 2013 11:43AM

I believe it was in the early 1970s and was all over the coin magazines. I remember Coin World had a lot written about it at the time.

braddick · July 30, 2013 12:29PM

I remember as a kid praying to find one.

Never did though.

bolivarshagnasty · July 30, 2013 12:45PM

Are you talking about this one?

RichieURich · July 30, 2013 12:53PM

I think the OP is talking about the 1970-S cent variety. Never found one, but some people did, as there are circulated ones around. I have one in my personal collection.

Bolivarhagnasty, that is a wonderful coin that any Lincoln cent collector would love to find or own. If it's for sale, please PM me.

bolivarshagnasty · July 30, 2013 12:57PM

RR, I purchased this one here on the forum. Right place, right time. It's now in one of the top Lincoln sets. It is a hard one to locate. Regards

ajaan · July 30, 2013 9:28PM

Yes, 1970-S. There is a cud over In God. I remember, according to the hype, this was supposed to be the next great error coin for the Lincoln series. Living in the East where we didn't see many "S" mint coins, I really didn't have much of a chance of finding one in circulation.

gonzer · July 30, 2013 9:46PM

'72 and '73 Lincolns had different forms of obverse cuds obliterating the word 'God'. I may be mistaken but perhaps Lonesome John came up with the term 'Atheist'.

ricko · July 31, 2013 12:12AM

Well, have to add that to the list of things to check for in my large box of cents....Cheers, RickO

daOnlyBG · July 31, 2013 4:51AM

<< <i>I remember as a kid praying to find one. >>

johnny9434 · July 31, 2013 5:20AM

<< <i>Yes, 1970-S. There is a cud over In God. I remember, according to the hype, this was supposed to be the next great error coin for the Lincoln series. Living in the East where we didn't see many "S" mint coins, I really didn't have much of a chance of finding one in circulation. >>

i remember that as well ajaan. we just didnt get the s mint coins

oreville · July 31, 2013 5:28AM

FJ Vollmer of Blomington Indiana was the big market maker in those 1970-S atheist cents.

When the 1972 DDO cents came out, Vollmer dropped the Atheist cents and shifted to market making the 1972 DDO cents.

Mostly done through Coin World.

yosclimber · July 31, 2013 5:33AM

on ebay currently for $250
But looks like a "believer" cud....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coinhunters-1970-S-Lincoln-Cent-error-Die-Cud-Atheist-Cent-ICG-MS64-RED-/181181121470?

More cud/error images on this thread:
http://www.coppercoins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=39095
like

Broadstruck · July 31, 2013 6:10AM

A cent a atheist collector might never consider?

coinrollhunter · July 31, 2013 6:21AM

I think the best coin for an atheist to go for would be the 1907 Indian Head Gold Eagle, with no "God" on the coin. I find it funny that these cents are called "atheist" cents...I know the motto "IGWT," which is thoroughly unconstitutional, has been on American coinage for some time...but are the cents/half cents before then referred to as "atheist cents"? That penny is atheistic in the same way that plumbing a toilet is atheistic...what does "God" have to do with a metal coin or a toilet in the first place?

OldEastside · July 31, 2013 6:39AM

<< <i>A cent a atheist collector might never consider?

>>

WOW, where do you find this stuff

Steve

thebeav · September 27, 2016 12:01PM

I got one of these in 1972.....
I was pumping gas locally, putting in 60 hour weeks. I never made so much ,and I was just a kid.
Well, anyway, a customer cam in for a dollars worth. Gas was 36 cents at the time. I pumped the dollar and this guy gets out of the car and digs in his pocket for change. He opens a handful of change and starts to fish a dollars worth out. I see this 'athiest' cent on the top of the pile in his hand. I doubt it was the '70 S though,we didn't see too many 's' mints here in the East. So I'm standing there thinking 'Get to the cents man'......Sure enough, he comes up with 95 cents and starts grabbing Lincolns from the mix. I got the coin. I was so happy. I sold it somewhere along the way though, probably enjoyed it for 10 years.