Question about coins found in father's belongings

I was reluctant to ask about, because I’ve seen others shredded when they ask about rare coins

 

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There's a key difference - you seem to have a coin with a RELEVANT difference. Relevance is everything.

 

Chrome and nickel plating can also cause a copper cent to stick to a stronger magnet, While it may be promising, the magnet test isn't 100% reliable.

The simplest check is to have the coin weighed on an accurate, calibrated scale (jewelry store, Local Coin Shop, etc) A Steel Cent should weigh 2.70 grams and a copper cent that's plated will weigh 3.11 grams (maybe a fraction more due to the plating). You can even buy cheap scales on Ebay or Amazon that will work.

No sense in spending any money or travel time until you get the weight. An authentic steel cent is extremely rare and it wouldn't be surprising if people were faking them 50 or 60 years ago, so don't get your hopes up. However, if it does weigh in at 2.70 gms, then it's probably worth the effort to get it authenticated.

 

and you have included many important facts in your description.

Don't alter the surfaces of the coin in any way. Have it checked. It sounds like you may have found an important artifact.

also, I agree with Oldhoopster. Have it weighed on a jeweler's scale and post the weight here. We'll help as much as we can.

 

Yes, Oldhoopster is right. Do get it accurately weighed by a jeweler.

 

I have a jewelry store a block from my office, I’ll see if they’ll weight it,

 

Here's hoping it's 2.7ish grams. If it is, the ANA will absolutely LOVE your story to death! Good "pub" for the show!

 

2.675

 

Interesting.

 

the coin is worth taking to Irving

 

This much I know for sure - I want MY picture taken with you! There's one more test that will probably have to wait until Irving in March - a careful examination of the second "4".

 

What about the 2nd 4

 

There were SOME artificially machined off 3's replaced with later attached 4's. I don't know what the diagnostic test is for that, but rest assured there is one.

 

this is where an expert needs to examine the coin in hand.

There are several likely possibilities at this point.
a) genuine
b) altered date
c) counterfeit

so, you're not out of the woods yet, but it's looking better than most at this point

 

Yup, we've pretty much eliminated bad hamfisted fakes at this point. What we have left is the real thing and really well done fakes.

If you come to Irving, check out the Texas Numismatic Society table while you're there. Wunnerful guys!

 

I will be coming to Irving, now to find somewhere safe to put it

 

You might want to remove that second photo if that is your address in Katy.

 

How could you fake this, other than as stated+

date change or plating a copper one?
just seems like a lot of work.
I am trying to understand all aspects of this.

 

Whoops, the Texas guys are an Association, not a Society. TNA for short.

 

no I'm not in Katy that's just a free note pad a copy gave out