Steel Pennies 1943...

[sibbley]

In going through my dad's things, I came across 4 steel nice looking pennies dated 1943, his birth year. I haven't seen steel pennies in years. In fact, these were probably the only steel pennies I've ever seen. I remember looking at them when I was a child. He kept them in a jewelry box on his dresser.

Also found the cool chromed penny.

 

[Digging Prayers]

Quick Google search. The 73 may be aluminum and may be worth some money. Look up 74 aluminum penny.

 

[Coinstar magnet]

Quick Google search. The 73 may be aluminum and may be worth some money. Look up 74 aluminum penny.

I think the 74 aluminum pennies are illegal to own...don't think they were circulated but the little I read seemed to say that...I didn't know there was such a thing...

 

[russau]

I save my "wheaties" but not much more for the pennies.

 

[Coinstar magnet]

I save my "wheaties" but not much more for the pennies.

That makes sense...I love my wheaties....eat them everyday....kind of crunchy...coppery flavor.

 

[AU Seeker]

It would be easy to determine if that is an aluminum penny by weighting it, if it is aluminum it will weight less than a gram, whereas a copper penny will weight 3.11 grams.
If by a miracle it is a aluminum penny just be aware that it is illegal to own it and the Secret Service will probably come and confiscate it if they hear about it since it was never released for circulation.

 

[sibbley]

It would be easy to determine if that is an aluminum penny by weighting it, if it is aluminum it will weight less than a gram, whereas a copper penny will weight 3.11 grams.
If by a miracle it is a aluminum penny just be aware that it is illegal to own it and the Secret Service will probably come and confiscate it if they hear about it since it was never released for circulation.

Pretty sure it was chromed. You can see front and back where some was coming off. Thanks for the info, good to know.

 

[sibbley]

It would be easy to determine if that is an aluminum penny by weighting it, if it is aluminum it will weight less than a gram, whereas a copper penny will weight 3.11 grams.
If by a miracle it is a aluminum penny just be aware that it is illegal to own it and the Secret Service will probably come and confiscate it if they hear about it since it was never released for circulation.

3.27 grams.

 

[russau]

That makes sense...I love my wheaties....eat them everyday....kind of crunchy...coppery flavor.

Yep and a little hard on the denture's ..

 

[AU Seeker]

3.27 grams.

So yes it's definitely chrome plated, .16 of a gram of plating.

 

[Coinstar magnet]

Yep and a little hard on the denture's ..

The early dates taste best...like aged wine, cheese...ah...think I'll have a semi-early dated wheatie snack

 

[galenrog]

Quick Google search. The 73 may be aluminum and may be worth some money. Look up 74 aluminum penny.

The 1973 is zinc plated with chrome or nickel over that. Common Junior High School chemistry experiment back in the Stone Age.

 

[cudamark]

The 1973 is zinc plated with chrome or nickel over that. Common Junior High School chemistry experiment back in the Stone Age.

That and putting mercury on a silver dime. It's a wonder we all didn't die from poison back then!

 

[galenrog]

That and putting mercury on a silver dime. It's a wonder we all didn't die from poison back then!

I remember it well.