1974 aluminum penny.

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Is it a test coin or fake? Weighs 0.93 grams and is aluminum alloy. Does have remnants of the dvb.



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  • Dwight_M
    Dwight_M Posts: 51 ✭✭✭
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    Cool

  • ms70
    ms70 Posts: 13,958 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Where'd you pick it up?

  • morgandollar1878
    morgandollar1878 Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would say that it is a fake considering that the details of the coin look mushy and poorly defined.

    Instagram: nomad_numismatics
  • ifthevamzarockin
    ifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,915 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Welcome to the forum! :)

    A fun & exciting find but...... fake. ;)

    https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1974-1c-aluminum/508060

  • astrorat
    astrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Fake.

    What do you mean by,"Does have remnants of the dvb?"

    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • mannie gray
    mannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nothing new to add.
    Fake.

  • Byers
    Byers Posts: 1,971 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Fake. Mushy strike. Most likely China.

    mikebyers.com Dealer in Major Mint Errors, Die Trials & Patterns - Author of NLG Best World Coin Book World's Greatest Mint Errors - Publisher & Editor of minterrornews.com.
  • ɹoʇɔǝlloɔ
    ɹoʇɔǝlloɔ Posts: 1,436 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    CHINAAAAAAAAA!

  • airplanenut
    airplanenut Posts: 22,763 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The genuine coins are very well struck. Sorry the photo quality isn't great... these are old:



    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • 1Mike1
    1Mike1 Posts: 4,445 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 11, 2021 4:22PM
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    I would say counterfeit, but I'd ask @CaptHenway or @FredWeinberg

    ooops, didn't notice Fred already answered!

    "May the silver waves that bear you heavenward be filled with love’s whisperings"

    "A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
  • Zoins
    Zoins Posts: 34,489 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 11, 2021 12:05AM
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    There's supposed to be up to 12 more aluminum cents out there after the Toven and Smithsonian specimens.

    After the setback, the US Mint recalled the coins, but about 12 == to 14 aluminum cents were never returned to the mint. No oversight, record keeping, or statement that the coins had to be returned was made by the US Mint as examples were handed out.[2] When Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government law enforcement agencies were called in to investigate, however, some congressmen either feigned ignorance or completely denied getting examples.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_aluminum_cent#Toven_Specimen

  • JBK
    JBK Posts: 17,860 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I vote struck Chinese fake. The rims look cartoonishly wide to me.

    That's the good news, since if it were real the govt would confiscate it.

  • JBK
    JBK Posts: 17,860 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @astrorat said:
    Fake.

    What do you mean by,"Does have remnants of the dvb?"

    Took me a minute. I think they meant VDB.

  • braddick
    braddick Posts: 25,183 ✭✭✭✭✭
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  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 11, 2021 6:48AM
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    @muzzman.... Welcome aboard.... The image of Lincoln is very soft/blurred - not the picture, the coin. Not like the images I have seen of authentic cents. I would say fake. Cheers, RickO

  • abcde12345
    abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I've seen those available in bulk on various Chinese type "Amazon" selling sites. Wish.com comes to mind as one of them.

  • astrorat
    astrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @JBK said:

    @astrorat said:
    Fake.

    What do you mean by,"Does have remnants of the dvb?"

    Took me a minute. I think they meant VDB.

    Ah ...duh! I shoulda guessed that!

    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • Onastone
    Onastone Posts: 4,416 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Aluminum foiled!

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I agree with Fred.

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • ɹoʇɔǝlloɔ
    ɹoʇɔǝlloɔ Posts: 1,436 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @airplanenut said:
    The genuine coins are very well struck. Sorry the photo quality isn't great... these are old:



    wow!! that's a stunner 🤩

  • BuffaloIronTail
    BuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,765 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @FredWeinberg said:
    Obviously fake – probably from China

    This is the real thing.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • airplanenut
    airplanenut Posts: 22,763 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @BuffaloIronTail said:

    @FredWeinberg said:
    Obviously fake – probably from China

    This is the real thing.

    Pete

    Looks like the one I posted ;)

    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • Jimnight
    Jimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I agree ... it has that mushy fake look.

  • abcde12345
    abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Jimnight said:
    I agree ... it has that mushy fake look.

    :s

  • muzzman
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    @abcde12345 said:
    I've seen those available in bulk on various Chinese type "Amazon" selling sites. Wish.com comes to mind as one of them.

    This didn't come from there.

  • muzzman
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    @Zoins said:
    There's supposed to be up to 12 more aluminum cents out there after the Toven and Smithsonian specimens.

    After the setback, the US Mint recalled the coins, but about 12 == to 14 aluminum cents were never returned to the mint. No oversight, record keeping, or statement that the coins had to be returned was made by the US Mint as examples were handed out.[2] When Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government law enforcement agencies were called in to investigate, however, some congressmen either feigned ignorance or completely denied getting examples.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_aluminum_cent#Toven_Specimen

    I've read everything on the 74. Including court case.

  • muzzman
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    @Jimnight said:
    I agree ... it has that mushy fake look.

    You don't think it's from finning?

  • muzzman
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    Thanks for all comments.

  • muzzman
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    @ɹoʇɔǝlloɔ said:

    @airplanenut said:
    The genuine coins are very well struck. Sorry the photo quality isn't great... these are old:



    wow!! that's a stunner 🤩

    The test ones wasn't well struck. Take a closer look at the one in the Smithsonian. Do a screenshot and blow it up.

  • muzzman
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    @astrorat said:

    @JBK said:

    @astrorat said:
    Fake.

    What do you mean by,"Does have remnants of the dvb?"

    Took me a minute. I think they meant VDB.

    Ah ...duh! I shoulda guessed that!

    Yes I did. Didn't proof read but if people are more worried about 2 letters in the wrong place, then I feel sorry for you.

  • muzzman
    Options

    @Zoins said:
    There's supposed to be up to 12 more aluminum cents out there after the Toven and Smithsonian specimens.

    After the setback, the US Mint recalled the coins, but about 12 == to 14 aluminum cents were never returned to the mint. No oversight, record keeping, or statement that the coins had to be returned was made by the US Mint as examples were handed out.[2] When Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government law enforcement agencies were called in to investigate, however, some congressmen either feigned ignorance or completely denied getting examples.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_aluminum_cent#Toven_Specimen

    It doesn't matter. They're not illegal too have.

  • muzzman
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    @JBK said:

    @astrorat said:
    Fake.

    What do you mean by,"Does have remnants of the dvb?"

    Took me a minute. I think they meant VDB.

    Dvb.> @coinJP said:

    The design details are very mushy. Doesn't look authentic.

    You don't think it's from finning? The video on them sure looks like it.

  • CoinCoins
    CoinCoins Posts: 698 ✭✭✭
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    I've got one of those too. Too mushy. Just a fake/novelty. I simply put it in the Dansco next to the 74D missing layer. As close as I'll ever get I guess..

    Got it the same day I got this.. another phoney..

  • abcde12345
    abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 12, 2021 6:12AM
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    @muzzman said:

    @abcde12345 said:
    I've seen those available in bulk on various Chinese type "Amazon" selling sites. Wish.com comes to mind as one of them.

    This didn't come from there.

    Just because you didn't purchase it off of a Chinese website doesn't mean it didn't originally come from one of them. Many unscrupulous sellers buy cheaply and in bulk from China and sell individually to naive collectors. There may have been a couple of middlemen before the "coin" reached you.

    I'd also add you are not doing yourself any favors by attempting to defend your fake cent. Many seasoned collectors and dealers here provide you with sage advice and opinions based on knowledge and without an agenda. Accept it instead of trying to deflect and fight it.

  • Zoins
    Zoins Posts: 34,489 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 12, 2021 9:59AM
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    @muzzman said:

    @Zoins said:
    There's supposed to be up to 12 more aluminum cents out there after the Toven and Smithsonian specimens.

    After the setback, the US Mint recalled the coins, but about 12 == to 14 aluminum cents were never returned to the mint. No oversight, record keeping, or statement that the coins had to be returned was made by the US Mint as examples were handed out.[2] When Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government law enforcement agencies were called in to investigate, however, some congressmen either feigned ignorance or completely denied getting examples.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_aluminum_cent#Toven_Specimen

    It doesn't matter. They're not illegal too have.

    Depends on the way you look at it.

    Do the 10 Langbord 1933 Double Eagles matter? Do the 10 gold 2000 Sacagaweas matter? Does the 1849 Double Eagle matter?

    I'd contend all these "matter" even if they can only be "owned by the people" via our institutions.

  • airplanenut
    airplanenut Posts: 22,763 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @muzzman said:

    @ɹoʇɔǝlloɔ said:

    @airplanenut said:
    The genuine coins are very well struck. Sorry the photo quality isn't great... these are old:



    wow!! that's a stunner 🤩

    The test ones wasn't well struck. Take a closer look at the one in the Smithsonian. Do a screenshot and blow it up.

    I took these photos... in the vault... of the Smithsonian. Its strike and the strike on your piece are night and day.

    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • astrorat
    astrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @muzzman said:

    @abcde12345 said:
    I've seen those available in bulk on various Chinese type "Amazon" selling sites. Wish.com comes to mind as one of them.

    This didn't come from there.

    Nor did it come from the US Mint.

    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • muzzman
    Options

    @Zoins said:

    @muzzman said:

    @Zoins said:
    There's supposed to be up to 12 more aluminum cents out there after the Toven and Smithsonian specimens.

    After the setback, the US Mint recalled the coins, but about 12 == to 14 aluminum cents were never returned to the mint. No oversight, record keeping, or statement that the coins had to be returned was made by the US Mint as examples were handed out.[2] When Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government law enforcement agencies were called in to investigate, however, some congressmen either feigned ignorance or completely denied getting examples.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_aluminum_cent#Toven_Specimen

    It doesn't matter. They're not illegal too have.

    Depends on the way you look at it.

    Do the 10 Langbord 1933 Double Eagles matter? Do the 10 gold 2000 Sacagaweas matter? Does the 1849 Double Eagle matter?

    I'd contend all these "matter" even if they can only be "owned by the people" via our institutions.

    read the court case on the 74. and not to mention someone on here said they only handed out coins in perfect shape and thats far from the truth. pcgs graded the one from phil at ms 62 and its looks worse then mine.

  • JBK
    JBK Posts: 17,860 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 18, 2021 2:29AM
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    @muzzman said:

    read the court case on the 74. and not to mention someone on here said they only handed out coins in perfect shape and thats far from the truth. pcgs graded the one from phil at ms 62 and its looks worse then mine.

    You are confusing condition with strike quality.

    The dies used to strike your fake were mushy and had low quality details.

    If you have any doubts that it is fake you should be comparing it to counterfeits. You will quickly see similarities.

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    You’ve now posted at least two counterfeit examples - this and the 1873-CC dime - which, if genuine, would be worth a considerable sum.

    Did you think they were genuine? Did you buy them from a well established source with a good reputation? Did you buy them at what appeared to be a bargain price? Did the seller(s) provide you with stories about the coins?

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @muzzman said:

    @Zoins said:

    @muzzman said:

    @Zoins said:
    There's supposed to be up to 12 more aluminum cents out there after the Toven and Smithsonian specimens.

    After the setback, the US Mint recalled the coins, but about 12 == to 14 aluminum cents were never returned to the mint. No oversight, record keeping, or statement that the coins had to be returned was made by the US Mint as examples were handed out.[2] When Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government law enforcement agencies were called in to investigate, however, some congressmen either feigned ignorance or completely denied getting examples.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_aluminum_cent#Toven_Specimen

    It doesn't matter. They're not illegal too have.

    Depends on the way you look at it.

    Do the 10 Langbord 1933 Double Eagles matter? Do the 10 gold 2000 Sacagaweas matter? Does the 1849 Double Eagle matter?

    I'd contend all these "matter" even if they can only be "owned by the people" via our institutions.

    read the court case on the 74. and not to mention someone on here said they only handed out coins in perfect shape and thats far from the truth. pcgs graded the one from phil at ms 62 and its looks worse then mine.

    Then send it in to PCGS and then argue with them when they tell you it's a fake. There is little point in soliciting opinions and then arguing with them. The forum is unanimous on this and that almost never happens.

    It's a fun little dollar novelty. Put it in your collection and enjoy it. If you want to consider it a million dollar rarity, that's no skin off of our collective nose.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • rec78
    rec78 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @CoinCoins said:
    I've got one of those too. Too mushy. Just a fake/novelty. I simply put it in the Dansco next to the 74D missing layer. As close as I'll ever get I guess..

    Got it the same day I got this.. another phoney..

    What is a 1974-D missing layer? Zinc layered coins were not produced until 1982.

    image
  • CoinCoins
    CoinCoins Posts: 698 ✭✭✭
    edited February 18, 2021 5:50AM
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    whatever it is. high 5, columbo.

    muzzman.. accept it. it's not real.

    P.S... *THAN

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • FredWeinberg
    FredWeinberg Posts: 6,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    and a more recent article, showing the OP's coin,
    was published in January, in Coin World, page 8
    (don't have the exact date of the issue)

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.

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