I found a 1944 Steel Penny. Is it real?

**BUncirculated** · 06-13-2012 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by indyfinn

Hi,
My Dad gave me a steel penny a month or so ago. I don't know much about coins except I like older ones and keep a jar of them for the history of them. Anyway, I didn't realize 1944 was not a year that they made them in steel. When I was checking value of my coins I realized I might have something. I saw that you were supposed to use a magnet and the penny stuck to the magnet. It also sounds different when I drop it on the table from a regular penny. I also saw that these are faked but I honestly don't have a clue what I have. There is some copper coloring as well on the sides. I got on this site to see if you guys could give me an idea what to do?Attachment 183020 I took a picture of it next to a copper wheat penny to give you an idea. Is there any other kind of testing to do or should I just go find a coin dealer?

It's either plated, or someone removed the copper to expose the inner core of zinc.

Zinc coated Steel Lincolns were struck in 1943 only.

**indyfinn** · 06-13-2012 04:13 PM

One thing is for sure. If it is not some spectacularly rare and valuable coin I will keep it and more than likely frame it as a gift from my Dad. Shoot, this is more entertaining than the nintendo games I used to get for Christmas Click here to enlarge

Thanks again guys Click here to enlarge

**silentnviolent** · 06-13-2012 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by BUncirculated

It's either plated, or someone removed the copper to expose the inner core of zinc.

Zinc coated Steel Lincolns were struck in 1943 only.

And cents with a zinc inner core were only begun in 1982-present. no wheat cent will ever have an "inner core"

C'mon BU, don't drop the ball just before the endzone... Click here to enlarge

**BUncirculated** · 06-13-2012 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by silentnviolent

And cents with a zinc inner core were only begun in 1982-present. no wheat cent will ever have an "inner core"

C'mon BU, don't drop the ball just before the endzone... Click here to enlarge

You're right.

I was thinking since 44-46 there was only copper and zinc in cents, it was an inner core of zinc.

**cremebrule** · 06-13-2012 06:02 PM

Most likely plated. A true error struck coin should have the normal cartwheel luster and look of 1943 cents (your 1944 cent seems to have the common proof-like/chrome plating finish). Also, the fact that the '43 cent has more of an attraction to the magnet compared to the '44 in question makes it seem like the attraction on the '44 cent is coming from the plating, not the inner core.

But...I may be wrong. Have you weighed it yet?

And welcome to CT! Click here to enlarge

**Kentucky** · 06-13-2012 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by BUncirculated

You're right.

I was thinking since 44-46 there was only copper and zinc in cents, it was an inner core of zinc.

Sorry, no core of zinc until 1982. 1944 cents were 95% Cu/5% Zn alloy, not plated.

**largecent37** · 06-13-2012 08:07 PM

I recently came across a 1945 "steel." It stuck to a magnet, but not as much as a 1943. As I have no scale that measures such light items, I recommend seeing how much it sticks.

**Collect89** · 06-13-2012 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by medoraman

.........To my knowledge I do not think there are ever "transitional" metal pieces. They are always all bronze or all steel. I have never heard of them mixing the alloys..........

By transitional error I meant a coin struck in one year on a planchet intended for a different year. (Much like a 1965 dated quarter struck on a silver quarter planchet). Alan Herbert refers to it in his book as "Struck on wrong series planchet" I think.

**-jeffB** · 06-13-2012 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by indyfinn

Not sure why in the world it is magnetic though. I tried picking up a nickel with the same magnet but it wouldn't work.

Pure nickel, the kind you would plate onto a cent, is magnetic. The 25% nickel, 75% copper alloy used in US nickels and clad coinage is non-magnetic. (Older Canadian nickels were pure nickel, and were attracted to magnets.)

If this cent is showing copper around the edges, and is attracted to a magnet ,but not as strongly as a 1943 cent, I think you've got all the evidence you need to label it nickel-plated. I'd hang onto it as an interesting example.

**elijahhenry10** · 06-13-2012 10:08 PM

You don't have to have a popsicle stick to do the balance test. As long as you have a pencil and something sturdy enough to hold the weight of the coin will work! I have already used an index card to tell the difference between 1982 cents

**Numis-addict** · 06-13-2012 10:27 PM

never mind, someone said it first.

However, I am willing to state that I believe it is most likely plated. however, I hope it turns out real, if only just because that would be cool

**indyfinn** · 06-13-2012 10:55 PM

If it is plated can someone explain to me why it was plated? Was it meant to be faked by plating it or was it done by the mint for some reason? And if it is just plated is it worth anything more than a story? Such an interesting little coin Click here to enlarge

but I do hope it is real whatever it is

**Numis-addict** · 06-13-2012 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by indyfinn

If it is plated can someone explain to me why it was plated? Was it meant to be faked by plating it or was it done by the mint for some reason? And if it is just plated is it worth anything more than a story? Such an interesting little coin Click here to enlarge

but I do hope it is real whatever it is

Well, the plating comes from the re-plating of steel pennies of normal years by those who think if it looks shiny its worth more. they put more zinc, the original shiny thing, on the coin, or even some other metal that was never part of the coin. However, if yours was just a normal 44 penny, it could not be replated with zinc, as it had not had zinc in the first place. that is the idea of the plating.