1944 Wheat Cent
Maz03
Posts: 283 ✭✭✭
I have a silver-grey 1944 Wheat Cent. It's not copper and not the steel (zinc) cent. A local dealer didn't know what to make of it and my local bank says it's a real penny. Is there any other metal that was used in 1944 for the cent? It looks like the nickel type metal but not on a nickel planchet. If I send to grading do I have them research it for a variety, error, or attribute? Has anyone else come across or heard of a third metal used on 1944 Wheat Cents?
Is there a way to add a jpeg image here which I have.
1
Comments
Need photos to evaluate.
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@Maz03 Welcome aboard.
When you supply photos of both sides of the coin, you will get some very accurate answers.
If you can provide the weight, it would also help.
Wayne
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Hi Maz03... welcome to the Forum! 1944 steel cents exist, but they're exceedingly rare. I've seen a number of copper Cents that have been electro plated with various metals resembling chrome plating. There are quite a number of Lincoln Cent experts on this forum that can weigh in once you can get images posted...
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Click on the little picture at the top of the text box then choose files. You can then add pictures from your device. Give it a little time to load then you should be able to post it.
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In order to evaluate if it could be an off metal strike we would also need the weight in grams to two decimal places. Most likely it is just discolored or toned, wheat cents can tone a silver color sometimes.
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It also could be plated. A lot of them were plated to use as "lucky cents" in key chains and jewelry.
Remember 1943 they took out all the copper for wartime use.
It’s my understanding that 1944 Lincoln cents are made with recycled wartime materials, like spent brass bullet casings.
That’s probably why it looks a little different.
It's all about what the people want...
Give us the weight in grams or grains (preferably grains)
and that should be a helpful start.
A 1944 for reference.
Welcome to the forum!
Weigh the coin only and a reverse photo would help also.
Don't be too concerned about the folks at the bank touching it.
The third possibility is a foreign planchet, but it appears to be the correct size for a U.S. cent.
Yes, weight is key. digital scales are cheap. $13 at Amazon.
https://amazon.com/Weigh-Gram-Digital-Jewelry-Kitchen/dp/B06Y61YW7S/ref=asc_df_B06Y61YW7S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=216635790640&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7087276772767754726&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004846&hvtargid=pla-414764383877&psc=1
No offense to bank employees, but that's the last place I'd bring a coin for authentication.
.....0r the Bureau of Engraving and Printing either.
Taking a quick look at authentic examples On PCGS Coinfacts, I didn't see anything with significant striking weakness in the date of Liberty, which may be a concern.
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1944-1c-steel/82722
Chinese fakes are available on aliexpress for $1.61 each. If you bought this at a flea market, yard sale, or even ebay, I would be very concerned over the authenticity.
Not trying to rain on your parade but just want you to understand that these coins have been heavily faked, especially in China, so don't get too excited. As others have mentioned, an accurate weight to at least 0.01 grams and a good pic of the reverse is needed.
Since you don't have a scale how bout at least a magnet test - that would narrow it down a bit
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Based on what?
The weight would be the first tell.
Then there are these:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000018651412.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.268168ae49B0jf&algo_pvid=3b2bffaf-617e-4582-b9fc-3c31cd73513f&algo_exp_id=3b2bffaf-617e-4582-b9fc-3c31cd73513f-0&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"10000000043527215"}
You've got about a 50% chance that it's plated and a 49.99999% chance that it is one of these.
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20210922114654&SearchText=1944+steel+penny
Post a weight or send it in.
Thanks for the reverse photo.
It looks plated to me.
When I was a kid we would dip cents in Mercury. That gave them a silver color. I don’t know how long it lasted.
Stick with us. We'll steer you straight.
Pete
Weight ??
@Maz03 .... Welcome aboard. It does appear to be a plated cent.... often done. Good conversation piece, but no numismatic premium. Try to get the weight though, would be good information. Cheers, RickO