Rare 1944 Mercury error dime

[JW3]

I am new to coin collecting I found this gorgeous 1944 error Mercury dime what do you guys think need some inputs. I believe it was struck on wrong planchet. Possibly aluminum?? Normal silver dimes or mercury dimes say it should weigh 2.5 grams. This little rarity weighs quite light at 1.65 grams.. i believe that’s quite a difference

 

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[galenrog]

Wear and damage took most of the missing weight. Also, it was, and still is, not unusual for planchettes to be a bit light.
If, however, you believe it to be made from aluminum, or other lighter metal, only an examination by a qualified professional will tell the tale.

Time for more coffee.

 

[Bob-E-Pin]

Wow that’s cool, may be an error or a counterfeit?

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very interesting coin!

 

[A2coins]

If it is aluminum it would never have come from the mint.It could be counterfit that would be cool. Most coin shops you go to will look at it for you no charge.

 

[A2coins]

Welcome also from MI Tommy

 

[JW3]

Thanks guys all the input the better getting coin usb microscope soon will post those images then! As far as sending in for grading what do you look for to know if worth sending in? Example this coin

 

[Kona Koma]

I think the weight difference is due to wear. I have some very thin mercs. Nice find.

 

[A2coins]

Get a red coin book one thing not many people know is coin found in the ground is considered ED enviornmentally damaged so it wont get graded. Plus with the cost of doing this make sure its worth doing that book will help alot and you will see many current coins to look for in circulation Good luck Tommy

 

[huntsman53]

Salt water or some other corrosive took much of the weight from the coin and wear, pre and post the time it was subjected to the salt water or corrosive, took the rest. The coin also appears that it may have been subjected to heat which likely leached out some or most of the Copper in the coin's composition and which was likely eaten away by the salt water or corrosive.

 

[Trezurehunter]

I agree with the rest. The weight difference is because the coin has been circulated and has lost some of the original weight. I also have many very thin Mercs. I would also think that if it were aluminum, it would be pitted (depending on soil conditions) from being in the ground so long. I know my aluminum tokens don't fair well.

 

[gunsil]

I agree coin is real, it is silver, it is not a mint error it is just worn. The face of the coin looks a bit like what we would see after coating silver coins with mercury. Coating coins with mercury was a pastime for a bunch of us in the 1950s-60s when all silver was silver. We would simply get some mercury from old thermostat switches at the dump or steal some from science class. When you coat a silver coin with mercury it shines like chrome but the shine only lasts a day or so then the coin turns duller and if done a few times loses some detail and thickness since the mercury has basically dissolved some of the silver. We played with a lot of mercury as kids, surprised we aren't mad as hatters. Silver coins also look similar to the OP coin after siting in salt water, we find them in similar condition when salt water beach hunting.

 

[against the wind]

Mercury dimes are my favorite.
Congratulations

 

[Inspector]

Nice find & welcome to Tnet from upstate NY

 

[Whyme]

Nice Merc! Congrats!

 

[smokeythecat]

I love Mercs. Here's a sure fire way to sell silver from aluminum. Flip the coin on a wooden table top. Silver will "ring". Aluminum will "thud".

 

[Al.relics]

I am almost certain that it is silver am most have already stated, still a great find!

 

[JW3]

Nice i didn’t find this with metal detector found in roll