From what I gathered online, a few 59 and 60 plated pennies shown up in circulation. I know the mint never produced them. Must be a novelty item of sorts. Does anyone know where they originated from?
So you're saying that if the pic wasn't so bright, you'll be able to determine where 59 and 60 plated pennies originated from?
They might have been rubbed with mercury (we did that in high school in the 50's) but maybe not 'cause they probably stopped letting kids play with mercury by '59 or '60.
Lol... forgive our YN. Anyway, I doubt if it was rubbed with mercury (which I use to do all the time back in the early 1950's); my experience is that mercury dulls up rather quickly, and doesn't keep its "super shine" very long. More than likely your coin was either bright zinc or bright nickel plated, most likely done as a chemistry experiment or to sell as a novelty. There are thousands of these in circulation.