Lincoln Experts - What is this? 1920 Silver White Metal Lincoln

tydye · January 18, 2008 3:35AM

I was sorting more of my wheatie hoard and stumbled upon this. It does not stick to a magnet. It weighs 3.2 grams. Any ideas. Kind of a weak strike on the reverse.

DickyBetz · January 18, 2008 3:36AM

Counterfeit.

seanq · January 18, 2008 3:41AM

Could be struck on a foreign planchet, I know I've seen other 1920 cents in TPG holders described as such. I think the Mint was striking coins for Cuba or Venezuela or Equador around that time, I'd have to dig around and find their planchet specs. That said, it's also a little overweight so it could be plated. From the pics, I'd vote "off metal,"but it's gonna take a little leg work to prove.

Sean Reynolds

oldcameoproofsguy · January 18, 2008 3:43AM

It could be mercury plated. It was a fun experiment as a kid. Just throw a penny into a jar of mercury and it readily plates.

Shamika · January 18, 2008 3:47AM

Just a suggestion: in the future, image the coin with a neutral background as opposed to a red (RedBook) background. It makes the color appear more accurate.

I don't think it's a plated coin. The way it's struck suggests a planchet that is different from bronze alloy.

doh · January 18, 2008 4:07AM

Whatever it is, it's cool

RichieURich · January 18, 2008 4:29AM

I suggest you weigh the coin and compare it with the known weight of a silver dime. Also, if you can do a specific gravity test, that would help determine the composition of the planchet.

UTTM07 · January 18, 2008 4:38AM

It looks very much like a 1915 cent struck on a foreign planchet I saw pictures of recently. It's hard to tell whether the weak strike is because of a smaller, thinner planchet, or if it is indeed counterfeit. I really hope it's a wrong planchet, though!

Bochiman · January 18, 2008 4:55AM

Cut it in half and look at the insides

tydye · January 18, 2008 4:56AM

Thanks for the help.

I did weigh it but I doubt it is a silver dime as it is too heavy being 3.2 grams. Although I can not rule it out it does not sound like silver when I drop it on the table. Some type of nickel maybe.

I am tempted to scratch the edge to rule out plating. I can see no wear through spots on it. But it is about 0.1 gram heavier thatn a normal Lincoln.

How do you do a specific gravity test? If there is something I can rig up in my house I will try.

Foreign planchet seems plausible but how do you prove something like that?

Counterfeit - how so - do you mean contempary as that would seem hardly worth anyones effort.

I am attending Baltimore next month if anyone would like to take a look in person. Or I can even send it to you now if you have the knowledge and desire to figure out what it is. I would appreciate it.

I am betting 50/50 plating/foreign planchet. Unless someone else has other ideas
Thanks again

ricko · January 18, 2008 4:58AM

Send it in for authentication... a small fee for what may be a unique coin. Cheers, RickO

RichieURich · January 18, 2008 5:01AM

If you plan to attend the Baltimore show, then show it to Fred Weinberg.

rhedden · January 18, 2008 5:07AM

I am 99% sure it is NOT plated. And whatever you do, don't scratch it to find out!!!!!

sinin1 · January 18, 2008 5:13AM

how accurate is your scale?

3.11 vs 3.2 grams could be same

not like 3.201 vs 3.113

ziggy29 · January 18, 2008 5:14AM

IMO, either a counterfeit or a wrong planchet error, probably from some foreign coins the U.S. Mint was striking in that era. Not sure a plating would completely wipe out the magnetism...would it?

seanq · January 18, 2008 5:55AM

Mike Byers mentions a 1920 cent struck on an Argentine 10 centavo planchet, I just found it in an old Mint Error News article (Here is the link).

Here's a 1919 cent struck on an Argentine 10 centavo from Byers' museum site, garded ANACS AU50. Sure looks a lot like your coin:

Sean Reynolds

seanq · January 18, 2008 6:06AM

Here's another one from the same source, the Byers museum page, this one is a 1920 in an NGC holder graded VF25:

Unfortunately none of these slabs have the weight on the insert, but the planchet color and the copper streaks, along with the strike characteristics, are unmistakeable.

I'll EDIT instead of replying this time - found two more there, one a PCGS Fine-15, the other an ANACS VF30 only described as "struck on foreign planchet", All of them have the same look.

Sean Reynolds

291fifth · January 18, 2008 6:12AM

Probably struck on a foreign planchet.

Dennis88 · January 18, 2008 6:14AM

That looks very similar!!!

Send an e-mail to Fred Weinberg (Fred@fredweinberg.com). He can help you out for sure and points you in the correct direction.

Keep us updated!

Oh, and in case it's struck on a foreign planchet, let me be the first to say:

YOU SUCK!!!

jonathanb · January 18, 2008 6:18AM

I would bet a lot that this is legitimate. Great find!

ziggy29 · January 18, 2008 6:20AM

Looking at what Sean posted, I'm pretty sure you have a legitimate wrong planchet error. Still worth authenticating to be sure, but that's a pretty sweet find!

Swampboy · January 18, 2008 6:27AM

I'm assuming you checked the diameter and it's the same a cent?

tydye · January 18, 2008 7:07AM

Thanks Sean
Nice research there - you made my day. I definately owe you one
Mike

mnmcoin · January 18, 2008 12:48PM

Just looks like it was dipped.

morris

percyb · January 18, 2008 1:17PM

Cool. I would put it up for sale on Ebay as a Rare Error Lincoln with a starting price of $8000.00

mozeppa · January 19, 2008 12:58AM

<< <i>Cool. I would put it up for sale on Ebay as a Rare Error Lincoln with a starting price of $8000.00

>>

where's yer balls man?..........................................make it $8,000,000.00

Lincoln Experts - What is this? 1920 Silver White Metal Lincoln

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