Anyone know the value of a 1963 steel? penny...

SunnySiestaSal · January 24, 2005 8:06AM

Hi, my daughter found a 1963 penny which appears to be steel or silver. We're not really coin collectors and were wondering about its value. There's no mint mark below the date. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks much.

klorineforbrains · January 24, 2005 8:07AM

why all italices? The cent is probably plated. Not worth much. Sorry.

mozeppa · January 24, 2005 8:08AM

welcome newby!

its probably plated....on rare occasion they were struck on a dime planchet...(very rare...and valueable!)

BowTieCoins2 · January 24, 2005 8:09AM

Can you put a pic up?

DorkGirl · January 24, 2005 8:09AM

TUMUSS · January 24, 2005 8:09AM

wam98 · January 24, 2005 8:11AM

morgannut2 · January 24, 2005 8:13AM

Welcome! Steel is magnetic.

nankraut · January 24, 2005 8:13AM

Welcome to the forum. Regarding your penny, It's possible that it wasn't copper plated before striking, as it was supposed to be. Since 1982, the cent core is zinc, you know, which is a "steel" color. A picture would really help.

Edited: whoops! I didn't read your message closely enough; you say it's a 1963; so disregard my comments.

ms70 · January 24, 2005 8:16AM

It may have been plated with something such as mercury. It was apparently a common school science project back then.

SunnySiestaSal · January 24, 2005 8:23AM

Hope this scanned photo goes through... we checked and the penny is not magnetic nor is it the same size as a dime, so I guess that it's just one that never received its coating.

Tootawl · January 24, 2005 8:26AM

Here ya go:

SunnySiestaSal · January 24, 2005 8:35AM

Thanks!

astrorat · January 24, 2005 8:54AM

Is that a cent "cleaned" with mercury? It's been a long time since I have seen one . . .

Lane

SunnySiestaSal · January 24, 2005 9:07AM

Could be... never knew that mercury was used in that manner. Do you know why this was done? Just curious...

klorineforbrains · January 24, 2005 9:08AM

<< <i>It may have been plated with something such as mercury. It was apparently a common school science project back then. >>

nwcs · January 24, 2005 12:20PM

Definitely a post mint alteration. The mint didn't start releasing copper plated zinc cents to circulation until 1982. The mercury dipping was a common science experiment, though we didn't do that when I was growing up. But I think my brother did.

Shamika · January 24, 2005 12:22PM

Actually, the coin appears to be nickel plated. It's a common experiment in freshman chemistry classes around the country.

Jdurg · January 24, 2005 1:09PM

In my junior year chemistry class in high school we heated a copper penny in a solution of powdered zinc and concentrated sodium hydroxide. The results was a silver/steel colored penny. We would then heat the penny in a strong flame and it would turn brassy in color and look like gold. Chances are, it's a penny plated in zinc or some other dirt cheap metal like tin. If it is a mercury dipped penny, then I would strongly advise against touching it too much as mercury is a nasty little element. If you heat the penny and you see little drips starting to come off of it, then it was mercury dipped.

Nancy · October 2, 2021 1:35AM

I have a 1963 penny that’s silver in color and shiny. Is it more than likely the result of a science project? Also would the weight of the coin say anything about what it’s made of? It looks like copper may be underneath from the way a small spot on the rim looks but I can’t be for certain . Can anyone tell me anything about this coin? I would appreciate it
Thank you, Nancy

JBK · October 2, 2021 2:22AM

@Nancy said:
I have a 1963 penny that’s silver in color and shiny. Is it more than likely the result of a science project? Also would the weight of the coin say anything about what it’s made of? It looks like copper may be underneath from the way a small spot on the rim looks but I can’t be for certain . Can anyone tell me anything about this coin? I would appreciate it
Thank you, Nancy

Hello.

You should ideally start a new thread rather than resurrect a 16 year old one. But in any case it shows you were trying to do your research.

Your coin is almost certainly plated but pictures and weight would help confirm.

ricko · October 2, 2021 3:14AM

@Nancy...Welcome aboard. Your cent is likely plated with mercury, or other element - even silver plating. Pictures would be good... but also weigh the coin and let us know. Cheers, RickO

MsMorrisine · October 2, 2021 4:48AM

Need pictures

gumby1234 · October 2, 2021 5:02AM

Plated most likely. Weight would still be within tolerance so that wouldn't help. Pictures would.

Jdavis1102 · January 27, 2023 6:01PM

Anyone know the value of a 1963 steel penny? It is steel as it is able to be picked up with a magnet.

coinbuf · January 27, 2023 6:13PM

@Jdavis1102 said:
Anyone know the value of a 1963 steel penny? It is steel as it is able to be picked up with a magnet.

Unfortunately you do not have a steel cent. As was the case with all the previous coins in this thread, your coin has been plated, coins with a nickel plating will react to a magnet.