1991 Lincoln penny with a big "F" Stamped into it.

I am new at coin collecting, but I have never seen something like this, and I have no idea if it is something that someone was just messing around with, and stamped it themselves, or if it may be worth something. Anybody have any info?

 

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Looks like someone had spare time on their hands.

 

First, welcome to the neighborhood!

It doesn't surprise me that you have never seen something like this when you consider the fact that there are billions and billions and billions and billions of Lincoln cents floating around in circulation.

Chris

 

Yes.. it is called a Counterstamp. It is done with a piece of metal rod called a setter punch with a letter on the end and hit with a hammer to form the incused letter into the field. It is NOT done at any US Mint.

Worth.. 1 CENT

 

Here is what they are -

 

I figured it was something like that. Thanks guys.

 

Like the owner, I am new at Coin collecting, and didn't have a clue about the "F" on a Lincoln penny. So I did the sensible thing, and looked it up. Apparently, some coins are stamped with a profile of John F. (Fitzgerald) Kennedy, and the F is Kennedy's middle name. For those who wish to know more, they will take the trouble of doing some more research.

 

Lincoln cents are also stamped with the outlines of the fifty states, Lincoln smoking a cigar, Lincoln wearing a hat, playboy bunny and everything else imaginable. I doubt the F has anything to do with Kennedy, more likely some guy named Frank stamped it.

 

No-one is forcing you to accept the JFK Lincoln penny, I.cutler - so stick to "Frank" if that is your preference. But before you do, give Google a try, by asking for "1991 F-stamped Lincoln Penny."

 

I just did it and the result was... F for Fool

 

There are counterstamp markings created outside the Mint made as true novelty items such as the Kennedy Lincoln Cent and the 50 State Cent... but the Cent in question is not made as a novelty. As I explained it was just some bored person who used a punch to create the Cent in question.. Maybe a girl named Francis

 

If you received a personal message, paddyman98, that's fine. Very different from the messages I received. But if you are being serious, feel free to prove it !

 

I know nothing about a personal message. I have nothing to prove..
All I am doing is explaining something really simple. It's not a novelty Cent
It's common cents

Goodbye

 

Oh...

Here is a thread I created December 2016
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/lincoln-and-kennedy-cent-counterstamp.288683/

 

Actually the only person who knows why it was stamped is the person who did it. One guess is as good as another, maybe to commemorate President Millard Fillmore, or Franklin Pierce! Regardless it is just a cent that someone stamped with an F.

 

If you've ever tried to do any research on counterstamped coins, you'll immediately realize that it is impossible (and I don't use that word lightly) to determine the origin of a random counterstamped numeral or letter. The only way to get lucky is to either have a picture showing it in some historical context or the punch is very unusual and can be matched with known examples. Not going to happen with this coin and a google search won't help.

As @paddyman98 and others have said, Lincoln cents counterstamped with Kennedy and State outlines are not unusual. You would see ads for these quite frequently in the back of magazines in 70's (and maybe 60's).

There are some CT members who are very knowledgeable on this subject and will reply if the coin is significant, or people post inaccurate responses.

If you are interested in counterstamps, search out books by Gregory Brunk or Russ Rulau. Many of these are tied to merchants. Modern coins won't be in there, but as a new collector, it will help you understand the subject.

 

Counter stamps come in all types of designs and letters. Here is an example on a Wheat Back Cent.

 

This is not a counter stamped coin this is a repousse coin.
Repoussé or repoussage is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is ornamented or shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief" (Wikipedia).

 

I have a 1938 Jefferson Nickel with a F stamped into the front, & a B stamped on it's back. I need to get pics, then I will post them.

 

paddyman98. I googled about the F-stamp, a few minutes ago, and got various replies, but not F for Fool. Maybe you are especially privileged ?