I came across a 1946 Lincoln penny (no mint mark) that is made of a shiny silver-color metal in my late father's coin collection. It's not steel as it doesn't respond to a magnet. But, it's definitely not copper. I've been unable to locate any information about what it may be made of and / or what it might be worth. Can anybody shed light on this? I've attached a couple digital photos but they really don't capture the color. thanks
A 1946-P in MS66 RED condition or better is the key. No too many 1946-P REDS are floating around as many of these pennies were made with spent copper shell casings from World War II. However, a plated penny is going to be worth...well, just a penny.
Don't be so sure. The most likely answer, considering the date, is that a copper coin has been plated, or possibly even coated with mercury. High school chemistry students did that very often when the coin was new. (I know, cause I did.)
1943 Cents were minted in Zinc Plated Steel Cents.. Millions of them. This is why it sticks to the magnet! http://cointrackers.com/coins/13590/1943-steel-wheat-penny/