Nickel-Penny Mystery!

My father in law brought me a coin today. I know nothing about coins, except how to spend them at a vending machine.

From my limited research, this is some sort mule coin, but I can't find any other examples similar to this.

Here's what I notice:

• It appear to be a 195(8?) wheat penny, that was struck again with a 1958 nickel die
• Looks to be copper, and is the same height as a penny, but the same diameter as a nickel
• Edges are smooth, like a nickel and a penny

Who can tell me more about this? Perhaps point me to some other examples? Is this an exciting find?

Below are photos, alongside some other random coins for size comparison.

 

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Looks to be a good $.06 to me. Nice double denomination. Good details, pretty dramatic, and with some age on it.

 

Would most of the experienced CT members then agree that this coin should be graded and slabbed? Is that sufficient absolute proof of authenticity?

 

That is a cool coin and really needs to be certified by NGC or PCGS to realize its full value.

 

Is it potentially unique enough to be graded? I see one other thread on here where a penny was also struck by a nickel, but no images (anymore). Can anyone point me to other examples with photos of this type of error? There's also some uncertainty in the other thread about this being a mule vs. a double denomination.

Again, I know nothing about coins.

 

AND it's a wheat cent! I've never seen a double denomination struck with an older date. And it has some beautiful toning there as well. Would grade a solid AU or maybe even BU in my opinion. I highly recommend sending it in for both preservation and to help realize its full value potential. Amazing coin; nice find!

 

Let the TPG figure that out. I'd just send it to ANACS. Nice coin! :thumb:

 

Are the wheat stalks and Lincoln raised from the surface?

 

I would also weigh it a cent weighs 3.1 grams and a nickel 5.0 grams.

 

Yes, the penny details are raised. I'll have to get access to a precision scale to get a weight on it. If I take it to a local coin shop, will they weigh it for me without any hassle?

 

Just a quick Google search did not produce anything so it could be rare due to the fact it is struck on a wheat penny. Really cool. In my opinion NGC is the way to go with that coin. Where did your father in law find this coin???

 

Where are you located??? maybe we could refer you to a dealer

 

Most coin shops or gold and silver exchanges should have accurate scales. Even your local Pawn shop should be able to do it for you. If it's real you have a cool coin! Congrats and good luck!

 

I'm up in central Washington state, the part of the state that isn't Seattle or Spokane.

My father-in-law got it from his dad, as far as I know. It hasn't ever been professionally valued, but they've had it in his family for a while.

What's the best way to get it over to the shop without already having a holder? He brought it over to me in a little plastic bag, which is probably what it had been kept in previously.

And ultimately, what will confirming the weight tell us?

 

Check these guys out http://ljrcoins.com/. Recently had a client's sibling deal with them on part of an estate and there offer was very fair she said they were very helpful. To bad you not in Indianapolis...

 

Ziploc bag is perfectly acceptable.

 

Your father in law must really like you. out of all the coins I have seen on this forum I like this one the best. It is very easy to tell this one is the real thing and authentic all the way . take good care of it and only handle it from the edges so as not to put finger prints on it. I bet this coin in the right auction would sell for enough to buy you a new car or a good home.

the modern coins with the cent struck on a struck dime sell for around 2000.00 and your coin is much rarer and has lots of age to it.

 

Rent the smallest size safety deposit box and KEEP IT THERE.

 

did your father in law find this? or has he been keeping it around for awhile?

 

How does a nickel get into a cent coining chamber?