The scales were not accurate or the coin was worn before it was plated. There is no doubt by the images that the coin was plated. Thanks, Bill
I think you need to find a different coin store. My guess at this point is that it is a coated (mercury or zinc probably not nickel) cast (steel or iron) fake. Your pictures are too small for me to get any revealing details and I doubt I could make any more sense out of them even if they were giant pictures. Whatever goes from here is going to have to be in hand, but there is nothing you have shown me or told me that gives me any idea that it is real.
Have either of you tried to pick up a nickel with a magnet? - a refrigerator magnet at that. A nickel is 25% nickel, but no regular magnet will pick one up. Yes, if you get enough nickel, it can be somewhat magnetic, but that takes a fair amount of nickel or the right alloy.
I'm getting shivers. I'm getting shivers over this one. I have a passion for '44's so to I have follow this thread through until the coin either condones or condemns itself.
I will be taking it to different dealers during the week. Thank you all for the input. I'll keep you updated.
Unless that's a really thick coin, I wouldn't think a plating would be enough for it to stick to a magnet. Especially one as week as you typically find on a refrigerator.
This coin is obviously plated. It is neither silver nor steel, it is brass (or tin, I forget) plated with some metal. There is NO question whatsoever and several experts have said so. Over all this coin would be characterized as having Post Mint Damage and therefore is an alteration and not an error coin. It is worth less than an average problem-free 1944 coin.
But that % is through out the entire coin, whereas in plating the % in the plate could be significantly higher. True it is thinner, but, maybe enough to support the cent. Or if someone was experimenting, it might be a more exotic alloy. Still think it is plated. Jim
Maybe it is authentic. Maybe someone had a pile of steel cents that they were replating and never noticed the date. This is highly unlikely, but not impossible...
I have a question I have a 1944 penny and it has a s under the year and doesn't stick to a magnet? Any information would be appreciated!! Thanks
Sounds like you have a normal 1944 cent minted in San Francisco. Value would only be a few cents unless in high grade.
I have a 1944 penny that looks like steel all around but it doesn't get attracted by a magnet. What metal would look like Steel but not be steel? Is it copper coated with something else?
It's worth only a few cents but there are those that collect altered coins like this. You might find someone that will pay a few dollars for it. The problem is finding that person. I would just hang on to it. It's a fun coin.