1941 Silver Penny????

[Captain Kirk]

So, I need some help with this one. I found both these coins today, ones a normal 1924 Mercury dime. That one's easy. The other is what appears to be a 1941 silver penny. Only problem is, they didn't make silver pennies. Ever. So what is it that I have here? Anyone have any ideas?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[Erik in NJ]

Yes they were plated...

Do you know with what? People mentioned a few different techniques and elements here. The gold plated 1909 I found was kinda cool but most of the light plating had worn off when I dug it.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[TrpnBils]

I have high hopes that it's not plated, but it probably is. Any simple (and cheap!) ways to test without ruining it? I've thought about taking it to a local jeweler, but not sure they will be able to figure it out either.

The other half of that chemistry experiment is turning that zinc plate to brass by heating it. If you hold it over a flame or other strong heat source like your stove (with tongs and appropriate safety precautions taken) it will turn "gold" by allowing the zinc and underlying copper to react. If it's not zinc plated nothing will happen, and if it is you'll be left with a brass plated penny. If you really want the "silver" plating back it's easy enough to do and you can make yourself a thousand of them if you really want to: How to Make Gold Pennies | Experiments | Steve Spangler Science

 

[scott9050]

It is pretty obvious by the planchet size that it is not silver and is plated as said earlier.

 

[testing123]

If it was silver, it would most likely be struck on a dime planchet. It looks larger than a dime. It should also weigh the same as a silver dime. You can tell right away by its weight, how it signaled under the detector, its size, etc. But these are almost always plated in some way after minting. Gets the blood pumping for a few seconds though.

 

[Captain Kirk]

Update:

So I'm still hopeful this may turn out to be something. Took it to the local jeweler this morning to get his opinion. Keep in mind, this is in small town Minnesota. He ran a silver polish cloth over a small section of it, said it polished up like silver. Then we weighed it. Please forgive my ignorance on this next part. He said that it weighed up at between 1.9-2.0 DWT. I think that is a gold measure. A regular penny weighed in at 1.6 DWT.

Can anyone advise me on next steps? I don't have ready access to a coin dealer or even really know where to start. Thanks.

 

[Scrappy]

Update:

So I'm still hopeful this may turn out to be something. Took it to the local jeweler this morning to get his opinion. Keep in mind, this is in small town Minnesota. He ran a silver polish cloth over a small section of it, said it polished up like silver. Then we weighed it. Please forgive my ignorance on this next part. He said that it weighed up at between 1.9-2.0 DWT. I think that is a gold measure. A regular penny weighed in at 1.6 DWT.

Can anyone advise me on next steps? I don't have ready access to a coin dealer or even really know where to start. Thanks.

If you think you're onto something, send it in to be graded.

 

[Carolina Tom]

If you think you're onto something, send it in to be graded.

Google NGC or PCGS... they are the big grading companies. You send the coin in, they grade and authenticate it, then "slab" it (put it in a plastic unopenable container). At this point you can sell it for a hefty profit... providing that it is really silver... which as much as I hate to tell you, it is not.

In the long run, it will cost you about $60 (actually only $59.99, because you already have one cent!) to prove to yourself that this is a plated coin.

I hope this does not come off as me being the bad guy, just trying to be honest... like when a girl asks if this dress makes her look fat!

Best of luck to you sir.

 

[pkb]

dipped in lead solder. Did it way back when

 

[lookindown]

What does it read on your AT pro?

 

[Old Dude]

Google NGC or PCGS... they are the big grading companies. You send the coin in, they grade and authenticate it, then "slab" it (put it in a plastic unopenable container). At this point you can sell it for a hefty profit... providing that it is really silver... which as much as I hate to tell you, it is not.

In the long run, it will cost you about $60 (actually only $59.99, because you already have one cent!) to prove to yourself that this is a plated coin.

I hope this does not come off as me being the bad guy, just trying to be honest... like when a girl asks if this dress makes her look fat!

Best of luck to you sir.

Tom, you have been reading IP's posts again, haven't you?