I was putting coins into a Whitman folder with my son, and this one 1946 cent kept falling out. It was really loose and you can turn it all around easily while it's in the hole. I thought it was the folder at first but I put that coin in other holes and had the same issue, while other coins fit fine in the hole in question, so it's definitely the coin. I don't see anything different about it by looking at it. The coin weighs 2.99 g, whereas another one of the same date weighs 3.09 g. I don't collect errors or varieties or anything, but I was wondering if this might be on a different planchet? I know the U.S. made coins for some other countries. Or is there another explanation?
Even if it were a different planchet, if it was struck in the same chamber as other Lincoln cents, it would have the same diameter, or else it would be missing its rim in some spots. I suspect that this one just got worn or beat up in a way that slightly decreased its diameter. I remember having the same issue with the press-fit Whitman folders. I've probably still got a few with bits of tissue paper under a coin or two to make them stay put. ("Toning? What does that mean?")
I have the opposite problem, haha. Was filling some Canadian whitman albums I have the other day and my thumbs hurt from putting the coins in the holes.
Yes. Your Cent was released from a Lucky Cent holder. They are forced into the hole of the metal holder and they become a tad smaller.
Yes, I remember putting small pieces of paper under coins to keep them in the album. Way back days for sure.
The top edge of the coin looks a little damaged. Possibly someone began to file it down to the size of a dime to fool a vending machine but gave up.
I know this because many years ago I myself released a Lucky Horeshoe encased Cent dated 1931. When I tried to stick it into my Cent album the diameter was smaller and it would not stay in place. I used tape to hold it in place. I removed it years later and have it put away somewhere. I still have the album. You can see where the tape was placed.
I put a non treated Kleenex tissue over the hole, then the coin. It works for me. See the top row, middle coin. It fell out easily but no problem since once I used the tissue.
Yeah, that is usually the case. But every now and then a coin is struck that is slightly different in different in diameter from what it is supposed to be. Sometimes they are a bit larger and sometimes a bit smaller. And this can be, and has been many times, confirmed with a quality and accurate micrometer. And it really doesn't make much difference what denomination the coin is.
I have a 1917-D cent with a similar issue, PMD’d in a way that reduced its diameter. Rattled in my Dansco album, but I replaced it with a better one anyway.
If you mean an encasement, they are not forced into the hole. The encasement is struck after the coin is put in the hole and the force of the strike causes the metal to move toward the center of the hole forcing it against the edge of the coin. So the "hole" is forced into the coin.
