Not only do I have 1... but I have 3!! Any idea what they're worth in this condition? 2 of the 3 are literally perfect. The 3rd has a whitish hue and isn't glowing as brilliantly blue as the other 2 are. Should I get them graded or how can I go about selling them? These pics dont do them justice. They're so pretty. I'm sure someone, somewhere would like them for their collection..
Even if they were not reprocessed, they would not be worth grading. The reprocessing may look good, but it is considered damage. Sorry.
How is it reprocessed? They are from my grandfathers coin collection I inherited and I doubt he reprocessed them. They're uncirculated as far as I know and as far as my mom knows. My grandfather passed away so I cant ask him.
These were reprocessed by companies like Littleton Coin Co and many others. Many people bought these and probably your grandad also. The original coins in uncirculated condition look very little like these.
My sincerest sympathies over the loss of your grandfather. No one is suggesting he reprocessed the coins himself, but only that someone did. Unfortunately, there isn't the slightest doubt this is the case. Still, and even though they may not be worth anything worthwhile to the average collector, they should be invaluable to you and due simply to the family connection. Even if you don't see this now, someday you very well may so please consider keeping them. Not everyone has such tangible reminders of family departed and would absolutely love to be in your shoes, so in this context you really did hit the jackpot. Edited: wording
Check the edges. The coin metal was originally punched from zinc coated steel sheet metal. The obverse and reverse were still zinc coated, but the edge would show a duller colored middle of steel core. As the zinc slowly oxidized after 1943, many sent even uncirculated coins out to be re-plated. This became a no-no later on, but by them there were multiple thousand that had done it. The process also plated the steel edge to bright zinc, so if the edges are the same as the front and back, they are reprocessed. If dull maybe original. Jim
I can not tell you that your coins have been reprocessed/replated just from the photos you provided. Or that they have not been. Steel Cents are very hard to photograph, properly. The lighting is a big factor for these coins. and unless you can get up close with some macro photos it is very hard to tell. I can tell you that a 1943 steel cent with original surface on it may have a blueish tint to it. I do like the looks of the VDB on the two coins that i can see. This one has its mint surface. sorry for the blurr.
Miss Lindsey.... I am sure this isn’t what you expected but is quite true..... Two months ago my grandmother passed and I inherited her humble little collection. Which coincidentally happened to include three beautiful reprocessed war cents. So many of these cents were reprocessed years ago. I know it seems that such a lovely piece of yesteryear should be invaluable. Fact is they are so common that they command a very small premium. I will echo @BooksB4Coins sentiments though. I know I received a gift more valuable than gold when I brought my grandmother’s coins home. I believe the gift you received is just as valuable.
You are all so sweet and I sure learned something new. I never knew about reprocessing so I am so glad to learn about it because it gave me something to talk about at Thanksgiving dinner. I sounded so smart.. I'm sure you're all right about my coins. Although i did like how @alurid noticed the V.D.B. it really is a bit hard to tell on one of the coins if it is reprocessed or not. Thank you @BooksB4Coins , @Randy Abercrombie & @desertgem as well as the rest of you for your sweet words. Here are a couple of rim pics and a V.D.B. Pic.. I'm sure it is reprocessed tho. Happy Thanksgiving!!
That run pic is conclusive. The coin was reprocessed. It is likely that at least one of your other two was as well. Great pic! Welcome to the forum.
Thank you everyone for your replies. I happened to recently see a sale ad on ebay for BU steel cents. Now I know the backstory, ha ha!
Some of them are real on the market, but many are reprocessed. Even real they can be found uncirculated as being something new and face value, many old timers put a roll or two away. Jim
Yours seems to be a "struck through" coin, spot below liberty. The coin I posted before in this thread is not a reprocessed coin. I have a coin that has the fine canal type feature at the edge of Abe's beard/chin. A feature that your coin also has but mine is not a Denver coin.