Smaller penny

I have a 1946 penny in BU condition that doesn’t fit into any coin holders . Hard to notice in pictures but if I put 2 coins together I can tell it’s smaller . Is this a known error ? Any opinions ?

 

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Not a known error or an error of any type.

 

I’m kinda new to collecting so I’m not going to pretend to know more than 99% of the people on here . However if all my penny’s fit into my folder very firmly & this penny doesn’t fit in any then how is that not some form of an error ? It’s prob one of those errors that nobody acknowledges until someone reputable does making it worth whatever . It’s the old saying ,” it’s only worth what someone is willing to pay for it “ , or something like that .. lol

 

The first thing you have to do is come up with a plausible theory for how a coin could have been "struck smaller" at the Mint. If you understand how coins are made, I don't see how you can think the process would produce something like this.

My first thought would be that it's a counterfeit. It's hard to say from these photos.

Next steps: put it between two "normal-sized" coins, and take a photo from the edge. Get an accurate weight, to the hundredth of a gram, compared to "normal-sized" coins.

Welcome to CoinTalk!

 

Do you have dial or digital calipers you can measure with?

 

Really need to accurately measure it and weigh it. Hard to see how this could happen at the mint.

 

Here is your answer

I once removed a Wheat Cent from an Encased Lucky Cent. When I tried to put it in the Cent Folder it didn't fit. Why? The pressure they used to fit it into the lucky cent holder made it a bit smaller.

Here is an example..


You have a damaged Cent.

The other Pennies fit fine because they are the correct size all the way around.

Not a Mint Error of any kind.

Mr. Ed - Specializing in collecting Mint Errors since 1986

 

This was the best way I could get a pic of the edge . It’s slight but definitely a noticeable difference

 

That picture tells me that it was encased at one time. Did you read my post? It is definitely not a mint error.

 

Thanks for following up with these photos! I think they confirm @paddyman98's idea. Do you see how the edge of your "small" cent looks like it has rails on either side? It looks like the middle was compressed.

Having said that, though, I'm really impressed that someone could change the coin's shape that much without visibly damaging either face. Then again, I haven't taken any coins out of encasements, so I don't know what they normally look like after.

 

Thanks for the opinions people . I do have a local coin shop I can take it to , so when I do I’ll post their findings .

 

Ok.. I gave you the correct answer.
Make sure you get back to us ASAP when the coinshop person gives you the answer!
Hopefully he understand the minting process as we do and know that it is impossible to occur during the minting process.

 

The edge tells me it was encased at one time. Paddyman98 gave you a great example. Please read it. If you decide to take yo your LCS please share the results and tell us why.

 

No problem , Long Island is the last to open up so I’ll get their when they re open some time soon

 

Good luck with yout previously encased good luck cent which is damaged.

 

I'm not seeing the damage I would expect from the coin being mounted in a lucky holder. The flat rims on part of the coin have that look but the rest of the rims don't show any signs of damage. I have looked at a lot of these but don't understand this one. Maybe a failed attempt to encase it? Just the images?

The other thing that bothers me is the grade of the coin. The reverse looks to have the luster and surfaces of a 66. The obverse looks maybe as nice but the image is even more out of focus.

It's a fun coin.

 

Thanks for your optimism , it is a mystery at this point but I will get it solved . It is a very vibrant coin . Deff between a 64-66 with no signs of damage . Unfortunately these pics are from my I-phone X which is a bit outdated . Will try to get this looked at some time this week & repost what was said .

 

There is a difference between a previously mounted lucky Cent and a Cent that was encased in a Bezel if that's the damage you are referring to.

 

Paddyman98 is correct. This is a formerly encased cent. An edge that resembles a bicycle tire rim is a dead giveaway.

 

Most brick and mortar coin dealers are far and away not experts on errors. Do a little extra research on what you have been told so far, Potter has written extensively on coins removed from encasements. He would be a good person to believe.