Funny Penny

[rebeljim52]

Found this penny a 1978 it looks like a steel cent but it not steel? any idea?

 

[dpepple]

Could be zinc coated. I teach chemistry and we do a lab where we turn pennies from copper to silver to gold. The zinc plated pennies are silver in color and then when you lightly heat them, the copper and zinc react to make brass (gold). Hope this helps.

 

[rebeljim52]

Thanks for the reply sounds right to me.

 

[rustydigger]

I dont get on here alot but ill throw my 2 cents in(no pun intended). it could be like he said a chemistry experiment. I do a lot of penny collecting and there are error coins stamped on steel. I have a 1968 with a masons symbol stamped sent it to my coin guy he confirmed its an error worth $20-40.

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

I dont get on here alot but ill throw my 2 cents in(no pun intended). it could be like he said a chemistry experiment. I do a lot of penny collecting and there are error coins stamped on steel. I have a 1968 with a masons symbol stamped sent it to my coin guy he confirmed its an error worth $20-40.

a penny with a mason symbol is a mint error coin? your "coin" guy is jokin right?

 

[smcdmc]

I dont get on here alot but ill throw my 2 cents in(no pun intended). it could be like he said a chemistry experiment. I do a lot of penny collecting and there are error coins stamped on steel. I have a 1968 with a masons symbol stamped sent it to my coin guy he confirmed its an error worth $20-40.

I'd like to see some of those '68 Mason's coins from the mint!

 

[deathhare]

 

[Mzjavert]

I've been told if you soak a penny in mercury it will absorb mercury and become silver. I've never actually tried it though.

 

[teverly]

rustyjim i suggest you get a new coin guy......the penny you describe would probably better be called a counter stamp..that masonic symbol was put on the penny by someone that sold it or made it for the masons...it was not done at the mint and i have seen them at coin shows for anywhere from 1.00 to 3.00.........

 

[rustydigger]

Ok that came across wrong. The penny being stamped on steel is the error, the masonic symbol is what killed the value. before the symbol stamp it was worth $. now its a novelty item. Either way nice find this is about your penny not mine just giving some insight.

 

[MKnTenn]

I agree Mzjavert, it was dipped in mercury. We used to do it in grade school, and play with the mercury. I'd be washing my hands after touching it. HH

 

[Damon64]

 

[Lanny in AB]

Interesting discussion--makes you wonder.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[allen]

cool penny !!

 

[BARKER]

Hi; Another suggestion is that it could be a poenny struck on a dime planchet but I'm not sure ok. Have it checked by a pro ok. PEACE:RONB