what's with this 1974 D penny? & is this a penny blank? select a picture for larger size. got these in my change today.
Hi there, the 74 is looks like it is zinc plated, and the other is what is called a blank planchet, so yes, it is a blank! The blank is a good find, and the pennies that are zinc plated are found from time to time. The zinc plating was most likely done in a high school chemistry class.
What is the weight of the 1974 cent??...we would be able to help alot more than.... The blank is worth about $3. Speedy
I read somewhere that the Mint was experimenting with Aluminum or Zinc pennies back about then. There was one on one of these forums certified as the real thing. They were all supposed to be distroyed since they were inteded for just test purposes but just as there was not supposed to be 1943 Copper Cents, something always happens. I thought I printed out that article but can't find it now. Must be old age. You may want to take the chance on having it certified by someone like PCGS. As to the blanks, they are really poping up a lot lately. I just wonder if a few indiviuals I used to know are back at thier old tricks. They worked in a factory that made washers, bolts, nuts, etc. They would every once in a while make blanks that are the same size as coins. Back in the days of pay phones everywhere, they would use them for calls, vending machines, etc. However, yours look like something a little more professional, not that our Mint is a place full of professionals.
Hey Carl Yes there is a 1974 aluminum cent...that is why I asked for the weight...the chances that this is real are slim...next to nothing...but I wanted to make sure. Speedy
i will try to get the weight of the 1974 D cent. it will be in oz's though, does that matter? if this coins happens to be one of those aluminum or zinc penny, is it actually worth getting it certified. what’s it cost to get coins certified this days $15-$20? it kind of looks plated now that zman mentioned it. it looks like its wearing off on the rims, don't you think?
we need the weight in grams....and yes...if it was real it would be worth a 7 digit number.... I'm pretty sure its plated....but its better to be safe...you know the people that had the last 1913 V Nickel took it to a dealer and he said it wa fake...I don't want to give the wrong info or pass up something I should tell. Speedy
Hey Zane As I said above...I'm pretty sure that it is plated too....but some thought that the Silver Cent in the Error forum wasn't real either (IIRC) and it was real....and sold for thousands.....now the odds that this is real is 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000................1 but I think we need to take that (1) into thinking whenevery we are helping someone.... Speedy
That silver cent was a great find! I agree that we should help people when they have something, but I personally think in most instances people have to go through a bit of trouble to find the weight. And Coavsfan, if you get the weight in ounces, that will be okay, as long as it has several figures, such as .1245, but I have a feeling if you had a scale that accurate, it probably would weigh in grams as well.
the 1974 D (plated) had the same weight of a normal 1974 D penny. so, i did some research on this coin and Dockwalliper was right it was only minted at the phil. mint and not denver. but i also came across this way looking around http://www.coinfacts.com/small_cents/lincoln_cents/memorial_cents/1974d_cent.htm i'm also prity sure its illegal to owe one of these coins too. JBK, you could be right on the mercury plating. i'll just throw the coin away. thanks for all the post.
That is what we needed to make sure... Its not illegal...its just illegal to try to pass it off as a real one... Don't trash the coin...it will be a cool coin to pass on to your kids....I wish I had kept my fake coins...they were really cool! Speedy
Speedy, your right it will be cool to pass down fake coins to my kids... i can educate them on fake coins. thanks, this post has been very interesting.
Absolutely do not throw away that coin. You could start an error coin collection. I collect error coins and counterfeits. You would be surprized at how many fakes there are out there. They are fun to find and collect. I've even got a lead half dollar. As for yours being a fake, one way for sure is to get a balance scale and put a copper coin of the same date on one side and yours on the other. Balance scales can be purchased at places that deal with chemicals. Remember the old Gilbert Chem sets. The bigger ones came with a balance scale. If they are still around the scales sure couldn't cost much. Then there is the famous popsicle stick and a round pencil. Find the center of the stick, glue it to the pencil and it becomes a balance scale. I collect the 1982 Lincolns and the only way to tell the copper from the copper plated ones is with a balance scale. A worthy investment if your a coin collector.
An update on balance beam scales is I don't think Gilbert is around anymore but there is a company called Stanleylondon.com that has solid brass balance scales for either $19 or $24. They come with weights, are very acurate, and small enough to put away with your coins.
