Mystery Ike

Okay, I know I have a lot of Ike questions right now--hope I'm not annoying everyone too much. This one has been weighing heavily on me, though it probably shouldn't. As many know by now, I've got a bunch of Ike's I'm about to throw on ebay. This one I want to save based on it's odd qualities. The "Mystery Ike", as I call it, looks like (and passes the bleach test for) silver.

Ike people know the weird story of some planchets being accidentally taken to Denver and a few strikes from '74 D being 40% silver. Those are really rare (for the story see the red book or http://www.ikegroup.info/?page_id=818). My understanding is that the 40% silver Ikes are supposed to be heavier--they also have a mint mark, almost always "S" (how much does the mint mark part weigh?).

Today, Gram tests at the coin shop revealed:
Normal CuNi clad '74-P Ike =22.7 grams
Weird Silver-looking '74-P Ike = 22.8 grams

What is this?!? See pictures below

Mystery Ike Obverse


Mystery Ike on the left


Obverse (Mystery Ike on the right)


Reverse (Mystery Ike on the right)

 

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could it be a counterfeit? it does look weird i'll give you that. but from what i recollect, all the off-metal strikes were produced in denver (74, 77 and 76?)

let's see if anything comes of it. i had just joined the ikegroup when someone discovered a 3rd ike prototype. maybe i started posting again on CT at the right time also for a new ike discovery!!

 

A silver-clad Ike should weigh 24.59 gm, so its not a Silver Ike.

 

Well Ike are not my specialty but your's looks like a silver coin. You can also place under a 1 ply tissue or paper towel. The silver coin will show through. As for the weight the red book sez 24.59 grams .800 silver . 200 copper. Perhaps one should look at medals struck at the mint during this time period with the same diameter struck in silver or a silver comp. As this could be struck on a blank made for a medal. And if that's so you just found gold!

 

I don't recall hearing of any Business Strike Ikes being on silver in years other than '74, but they were D's. Should I write to the Ike group too do you think?

 

This is what I'm thinking too--maybe one of the foreign coins/medals we were minting? Surely we wouldn't have done other countries minting in silver though...

 

However the US MINT did strike medals in both gold and silver in 1974 that looks to be the same diameter as a Ike dollar later struck in a base medal. You need to research this out. I just Google us mint medals 1974 you go girl....

Also on a hard surface without damaging it allow the coin to wobble down does the coin have a different sound then the clad coin? Meaning more bell like ring then a flat sound ? The sound should be different between coins.

 

Thanks, just about to do this. Good thought, medals.

 

Here's a counterfeit ike example

Here's a 77-D 40% ike and a 76-D 40% ike on another page

And finally, I learned something quite amazing by searching for the above: there's a no S-mintmark 1976 Type 2 Proof Ike. Read about it here

Good luck with your coin. Someone has to find these things. And considering a lot of people straight ignore ikes, it allows most anyone to find these amazing discoveries. I could go on and on about how great it is to cherrypick ikes. I hope you find out what's the deal with yours. I will say that if there is anything different about it (could just be a mistreated regular 74-p mind you), I'd say counterfeit because they are known to exist. But to temper your hopes, the chances are SLIM. Still, good luck!!

 

Thanks for the great info!

 

Clean, then Acid dipped, and whatever else they could put on it, its burned really bad ...

 

Looking at the two coins edges the 1974 edge is different by a country mile. I blew the image up and no way are the edges anyway near the same. Keep us posted on this one ,I enjoy researching the unknown besides I'm a product of the 60/70's always question authority

 

Thanks Ken always liked the boss.... and on that note my 12 lb boss "Darby " my jack rat terrorist wants to go to bed....
So good night enjoy your holiday BTW the honeybell oranges are in season in Florida you should take advantage mm mm yummy fresh squeezed and add Vodka

 

Oops, I missed the sound question. It sounds like silver to me... but I'm still new at this

 

It might be. Id be very interested in a piece like that

 

Looks like Captain Americas, shield

 

As I said earlier, I don't plan on selling that one. Too funky to part with. Just want to know more!

 

?

 

It is a rather rare piece. I wouldn't sell it either.