Lincoln penny the size of a nickel

Discussion in 'Error Coins' started by Tomcat, May 1, 2016.

  1. Tomcat

    Tomcat New Member

    I have a 1988 Lincoln penny that is the size of a nickel. When I came across this coin, I thought it was a nickel, but it is thinner. It appears to be exactly the same diameter as a nickel. It is a bit thinner than a normal penny also. It appears to be copper, but hard to tell, the reverse has corrosion. It almost looks like a steel penny but a magnet will not stick to it. It also has a different sound when handling it or putting in down on a hard surface. Large penny.jpg Large penny reverse.jpg CCI05012016_0001.jpg CCI05012016_0002.jpg Looking closely you can see the distance between the letters and the rim are greater than a normal penny. I scanned it with a nickel and a normal penny for comparison. Any idea what this is? Is it rare?
     
    Daniel Jones and old49er like this.
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  3. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    Damage. I believe they are called "texas cents"
     
  4. Tomcat

    Tomcat New Member

    So this is a US mint coin? Not some counterfeit or novelty coin?
     
  5. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    It is a real coin but it was damaged by someone after it came from the mint. It's just junk at this point.
     
    SensibleSal66 likes this.
  6. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Variety Nerd

    Yes, it's a "Texas cent" created by putting a zlincoln between 2 pieces of leather and pounding it with a rubber mallet.
     
  7. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    That penny was flattened and spread by beating it, between two pieces of leather, with a hammer.
     
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  8. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    Fun coin. Welcome to CT.
     
  9. Rick Stachowski

    Rick Stachowski Motor City Car Capital

    Then the outside layer pealed off and now the zinc core is left .

    now it's a, Casted Piece ......
     
    paddyman98 likes this.
  10. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    I think you meant cast.
    The zinc core is not cast, it's cut from a sheet, then plated with copper.
     
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  11. Daniel Jones

    Daniel Jones Well-Known Member

    Interesting. I just learned a new bit of coin trivia. Thank you! Now, I wonder why they call that a "Texas cent"? Ha, ha!
     
  12. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    No.. The US mint does not create Dies to strike Cents that big.
    I say yes to PMD Post Mint Damage
     
  13. Small Size

    Small Size Active Member

    Being a Texan myself, let me hazard a guess: It's big, it's based on an illusion and it gets people's hopes up.
     
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  14. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Variety Nerd

    Yes, it is a us mint made coin... Just damaged after it left the mint ;)
     
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  15. Rick Stachowski

    Rick Stachowski Motor City Car Capital

    I know, it was all in fun ....
     
  16. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Variety Nerd

    Really, you're from texas? By your handle I would've guessed... Rhode Island :hilarious:
     
  17. Tomcat

    Tomcat New Member

    Wonder why someone would go through the trouble,, and then put it back into circulation.
     
  18. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    Rhode Island is not a state. It's a unit of measurement. I know, I lived there for 3 years :)
     
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  19. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    People do stupid stuff all the time.
     
    paddyman98 likes this.
  20. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    As a native of Rhode Island, I agree.
     
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  21. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Because "Everything's bigger in Texas!"
     
    Newbie69 and Daniel Jones like this.
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