1981 Silver Penny- No Mint Mark

I have a 1981 penny that looks silver. It does not seem to be magnetic. It's in very good condition. There are no ridges on the side of the penny and no mint mark, making believe it is not worth much. Please help. Any websites you could share that have this exact coin? Thanks in advance.

 

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Here are photos.

 

A 1981 cent would be made of copper. Without photos it's impossible to be sure but it is probably plated. With that date and no mintmark that means it was minted in Philadelphia.

Only worth a cent. Not a Mint error.

Welcome to CT.

 

Yes to what I just said.

 

There aren't any cents that are silver. An 81 is made of copper.
Cents do not have a reeded edge. And no MM means it was struck in Philadelphia.
The coin was plated if it looks silver.

 

Another welcome to CoinTalk @Anna Sellers !!

I would keep that penny as a good example of what it is.

 

Before we knew about the dangers of mercury, it was often used for school science projects, dipping pennies to give them a silver coating.

Chris

 

When I was a kid (talking 1960s) I used to crack thermometers open to get at the mercury. I liked to break it up and push the 'pieces' or drops toward each other and watch them 'coagulate.' My Dad was a physician and he couldn't keep thermometers in stock. I used tongue depressors and other things I found while cleaning Dad's home office and examination room to play with mercury. I think I learned about the serious danger of it after that.

 

Your cent looks like it has been Tinned with electrical solder.

 

definitely plated....

 

So, that is why you have a constant stutter in your speech, huh?

Chris

 

I think it's worth approximately $200,000. Can I buy it from you?

 

I've read the plating is a dangerous chemical. Is this true?
I don't think my last comment posted. Thank you all for the responses. I didn't expect such quick replies! My dad loved coins and I really am just starting an interest. Would love to share with mine and my brother kids since my dad passed in 2012. Thank you all for your input!

 

Just a plated coin. I know I once found a cent plated in aluminum, which made it appear "silver."

 

This could be aluminum... it weighs about 3 grams too meant to put that in the original post.

 

I would love to believe you... But I have a feeling you're pulling my leg here... I don't find it funny either.

 

That's about the weight of any regular cent. If it is aluminum, it's probably just a very small plating, similar to those "gold-plated" state quarters and such. On the one that I found coin roll hunting, I accidentally peeled some of it off, but I still have it.

 

In 1942 the Mint was trying out different compositions for cents due to WW2.
They experimented with aluminum as one of the metals to be used.
The planchets ended up being twice as thick as a copper and still couldn't get even close to the weight of a copper planchet.
Here is a thread started not too long ago.
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/1942-aluminum-cent.331816/#post-3332125

 

Way too heavy to be aluminum. I'm afraid the obvious is the answer, it is just plated.

 

Great thank you. Mine is a 1981.