I know that everyone went back and forth for awhile on this, however Red Book shows brass was used 1944-1946. I do believe the cents weren't straight brass as the amount of brass taken in wouldn't keep up with the cents produced. Unless they just used the brass until it ran out and then substituted other metal. Brass from shell casings has a distinctive color. Even as it ages. Of course I've been wrong before, and many more on here have greater knowledge. Off to make some shell casings out of ammo....maybe I'll send them to the mint.....
Actually, very normal condition for a coin 74 years old... ...what would be extraordinary condition would be from circulation AU58 or better... But this one is F12 at best, and I agree with you that it is exceedingly common...Spark
They are shell casing cents. There were more than enough of them recovered. And they DO have a different color, when compared with the pre-1943 and post-1946, ESPECIALLY in BU condition. I'm sorry but I thought this was as common knowledge a fact that there is in this hobby. The only fallacy is with the doubters. I know most CT'ers DON'T get to see competitive exhibits, but I do, and this IS a frequent theme when discussing the coinage of WW2. Some supplies makers even have holders stating the fact as such.
No, someone has to be Cliff Claven in this bar. Lookit, maybe some CT'ers need to shut off the screen and go read some books, you know?
My understanding is that considerable of each were struck in 1946, because no contemporary announcement had been made of returning to the pre-war alloy. I do recommend looking at 1944-46 BU cents closely for the color variations of the trace "junk" in the alloy.
I've heard a lot of back and forth about whether that plan actually went into effect before the war ended. The alloy did change, but the amount of spent shell casings may be trivial if any. Also heard someone say that they didn't ship them back but used casings from training exercises here at home. Never seen concrete evidence either way.
@Conder101 made this post recently... https://www.cointalk.com/threads/44-d-s-composite-plantchet.309487/#post-2969689