Not sure if this is the right area to post? Looking for some help determining if this is a “real” fake. Was at my local shop today checking out a 1944 Henning Nickel that I had seen before. Since my last visit I have done research and am familiar with the varieties and expected weight of 5.2g-5.4g. Went back to see if it all matched up and was going to pull the trigger but saw a few flags. P is of course missing and very dull like you usually find. No looper in R or die crack though, and weight was only 4.9g. Didn’t get a picture unfortunately. Owner had it for a while and will be researching on his own, didn’t want to sell without knowing for sure. I definitely trust him. I remember seeing a post but couldn’t find it. One memeber has almost 30 of these and I thought I recall reading that the weight could be at or below 5g. I’m very intrigued by this story and really interested in collecting these. Appreciate any help offered.
Not all are overweight, but many are. I will need very clear photos of both sides. No glare. Not taken through a 2x2. From there, I can help you.
Hey. Was finally able to get ahold of the coin. Here are some pics. I’m also linking another discussion with pictures of a similar coin, but weight isn’t mentioned. Building appears to be tilted CCW with bar similar to a sideways 1 appearing to the right, “A” in states has a curved shape. Let me know if I can provide any other photos or details. Weight on my scale is 4.9g as well. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/915619/newp-1944-no-p-henning-nickel-arrived-new-photos
The coin does not look like it was altered, and not all Hennings are overweight. Plus, not all have the looped R. Not all have the die break above the dome. Has that classic porous-looking surface. I think it has a good shot. I am leaning it is. 95% sure it is good. If it were me in the store, I would buy it.
I'm not sure. The lettering doesn't seem mushy enough. And the weight is close to correct. A metal analyzer showing silver would show it's not a Henning.
Not sure why I was not tagged on this. It’s definitely a Henning as far as I can tell. All of the non loop R have a die chip above Monticello just left of the dome. This is indicative of the reverse die without the looped R. Obviously having in hand would be better to make certain and a metal analysis would only further prove it but I am convinced.
Already bought it! Worth a $20 gamble - even if a fake, fake it’s still worth at least that to me. Did you all get the chance to compare to the other Henning that I linked to? Reverse appears to have many matching characteristics. Otherwise, quite the coinciencence. Thanks for sharing. Here’s a better pic of that location. Where are you located? How could I have the metal content analyzed?
I don’t think there is further need for it to be analyzed. It has the die chip. It’s very clear in your most recent photo. That is extra metal on the coin that is evidence from it being struck from the second reverse die that lacks the loop in the R. If you are interested in Hennings. I highly recommend buying the book by Dwight Stuckey or renting it from the ANA library. I own my copy which is signed by Dwight and it’s a fascinating read.
If you know of any for sale let me know! I’ve come to find they’re harder to get a copy of than the actual coins. Im curious about the weight. Was his supply of blanks just not very consistent?
The US Mint tolerance for a nickel is 3.88% or 0.194 grams. This means a Henning counterfeit nickel or an authentic coin could weigh between 4.806 grams up to 5.194. This is why weight isn’t normally a deciding factor but rather evidence of a die marker.
What do you guys do with these for preservation in your collection? I’d like to potentially get them slabbed as I collect, or at least something more than a flip. What are the thoughts on that and are there recommendations for or against any specific companies?
That die chip marker may or may not the proof. There is a tiny spot there, but there are other similar marks as well. The letters on the OP coin are very clear. I've never seen a Henning that didn't have mushy letters. And I would first examine the space over the dome with a very bright light, and magnification to determine if the mm was removed. As that area seems scratchy and the rest of the coin does not. I certainly hope it's "real". But I am still not convinced. The OP die marker is higher and further to the left. The known marker is more prominent, lower, and closer to the center. OP mark 1 Genuine example mark 2
I’ve done more research since and have almost no doubt it’s a real, fake Henning or at least a really good fake, fake Henning. Error-ref has a few pictures that show one in excellent condition and another with a very similar reverse. (Linked). What I see is the mark to the side of the building that looks like a sideways “1”. As well the building is tilted to the left, or CCW. Additionally, the “A”s appear to have a slight curve on a side. This is visible on all the non looped R versions I’ve see. Mine: Error-ref It obviously makes it much easier having the coin in front of me to compare. I’m willing to let others examine and planned to have Skip at ICG confirm and hopefully slab. If there’s an easy way to test the metal I could do that as well - jeweler? I’ll snap and share some close and very close pics of the area where the MM should be. Thanks for taking the time to check it out and respond. http://www.error-ref.com/henning-counterfeit-nickel/
