ALUMINUM PENNY 1974 vs. NON-COPPER PENNY 1972-Denver Mint

Thanks for keeping us informed on your coin. All of us started out not knowing much about coins and learn as we go. There is always more to learn, and maybe we will learn something from your coin, let us know what you find out.

 

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Thank you so much, that makes me feel better.

 

No photo of me holding the magnet with the penny stuck to it, I never even thought to do that.

 

How strongly attracted to the magnet was it? Slight, as in as you pulled it away from the magnet you felt a slight resistance? Or strong as in the coin would "JUMP" to the magnet?

 

I wish you all the luck in the world. I hope it turns out to be something really special, but if it was made of something other than a normal 1972 cent, it wouldn't weigh 3.11 grams. It would be heavier or lighter.

 

By sending it in to PCGS you will get your answer and I hope it turns out to be a rare coin for you. This is the reason I started collecting in the hopes of coming across a rare coin and I am pretty sure that most on here would agree. It would be interesting to know the results after it comes back. Good luck!

 

Okay. Thanks for replying. The clarification you gave is great. Sorry for misunderstanding. Please keep us posted. This seems like a real interesting coin. Once you get the coin back, don't go along with that dealer right away if he wants to sell it for you. He will act like a middle man between you and the seller and probably take too large a cut. I would call around or email bigger places like heritage or bowers, since they have standard fees and won't pull anything with you. Plus, these places may advertise or make your error known before auction, thus increasing demand at time of sale.

 

Tell your husband to NEVER scratch a coin again. There are plenty of ways to check a coin without scratching it. A simple scratch could drop the value of most coins by 50% or more. Bad boy! Bad, bad boy!

 

Very funny! He was a little kid in grade school....thanks for the humor. I needed it today. Nan

 

I appreciate the help. I will take your advice. May I ask, what are key words PCG "MIGHT" use to describe the coin that would make it really desired by a true penny collector? Rarity? Pattern? Trial? When they list the metals/elements, what would draw a collector to it? I just want to know what I am looking for from them? I have checked on it, and they have it, so, all is rolling along. Thank you for being so kind. We needed someone who would help out.... Your a nice guy Joe. We do appreciate your help.

 

PCG. Hmmm...

http://pcggrading.in/

 

Ok, now what did I say wrong? Today has not been my day...and Its my day...mothers day! I have been in trouble with the family teasing me all day.
Go ahead, make fun.

 

It PCGS, it stands for Professional Coin Grading Service.

My guess it that the label will read "AU Details, scratched - struck on foreign planchet". Although I do want it to be a rare pattern.

 

Ok, so, lets say it is a rare pattern...then what?

 

As soon as I know, you will know. PCGS is in the driver's seat now...Thanks for all the assistance.

 

If it winds up being a pattern, I believe it would be J-2156.

 

Girldly, I am assuming your profile pic is your dog. Your dog is very cute!

 

The U.S. Mints also mint foreign coins. For example, they also minted nickel clad steel 10 Centavos coins for Columbia in 1972, which were only slightly smaller in diameter 18.4 mm as opposed to the U.S. cent at 19 mm and slightly lighter. They would be magnetic. I haven't investigated other countries yet, but suspect that at least one foreign planchet got mixed in. Pure nickel is also magnetic. Mint records should be able to help you identify what you have, but I do not know how to query them other than contacting the Denver Mint.

 

Where did you find this info? I have a reference from 2006 that states the last coins the US struck for Columbia was in 1946. Besides, the coin weighs what a normal cent weighs, 3.11 grams. The 10 centavos weighs 2.52.

 

Where is the bronze? These patterns were bronze clad steel. Also, how did it time travel, 2 years into the past, and wind up at the mint in 1972 and not 1974?

I promise, if it comes back as a rarity, I will apologize until the cows come home. I just don't want a family to get their hopes up thinking they won the lottery...then find out it was a prank scratch-off.