ONE PART FAT AND ONE PART FLAT

Hi everyone, this is a 1973 penny that is very thick most of the way around

but has one part that is much thinner than the rest of the penny. I have seen

this before searching through pennies, and very curious as to why this is

happening...Does anyone know?
Thanks ahead of time!

 

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Lots of coins are like this BUT not as much as yours. Get a micrometer and start measuring your pocket change. Obviously, the larger the difference in thickness the neater the coin.

 

Thanks Insider, gonna go Amazon a micrometer right now!

 

Great picture!

 

Tapered planchet error?

 

There is a "freight co." catalogue I get in the mail (can't remember the name) but good digital micrometers are dirt cheap these days. I paid way less than $15 for mine and got a free LED flashlight with it.

Mine says General Ultra Tech No 1433.

 

Never thought of these as mint errors. Put this in FILE #13 until a specialist posts the correct answer: Possibly has to do with die alignment slightly out of the "horizontal." IMO, it has nothing to do with the planchet being out of tolerance. Otherwise, you are dealing with a "fin" of metal squeezed into the collar area.

 

Thanks Insider, I will go search for that one right now...Got a few digital ones on Amazon that are around that price range too....Humm...Decisions.. decisions...

 

I'll bet Amazon is faster with a good guarantee.

 

Just got one on Amazon....$13 ...Be here Sunday...!!...

 

Harbor Freight I believe you are alluding too. I have gotten a lot of decent items from them. They are more suited for the average homeowner but their prices cannot be beat. And they are expanding with stores all over the country, not just online. One just opened in Pittsfield, Ma. recently which was good for me.

 

I agree with the Harbor Freight suggestion. As long as you stay away from their air tools. Micrometer's are decent can get a digital for around $10.00

 

Their brand names-Central Pneumatic, Central Hydraulics, Central Tools are all made in China, good enough for around the home but not for the "heavy lifting". Their punch sets do not hold up too well but my log splitter has been going steady for 10 years with only hose replacements. Of course it does have a Subaru Robin engine which has done me no wrong.

 

Add this to the mix: The strength of the design details on the struck coin. Is there any weakness or not? If the planchet is out of tolerance it should show in the design of the coin somewhere.

 

Weigh it. That will tell you if it is a planchet issue. If it is from the end of a sheet that was tapered, it will weigh less than normal

 

I just used my micrometer ( Thanks Insider for the advise!) on this flat/fat penny and the fat section is -- 167mm and the flat section is -- 143mm ....What do you think ?

 

I think @Billyray had the best idea. Weigh it. Sorry I forgot to mention the easiest test. We could have saved you the cost of the micrometer. It is nice to have one though.

Now you get to go back on to Amazon and get a small digital pocket size scale (under $20). Many of the TPGS authenticators keep one on their desk and take them to shows. You'll get lots of use from one of these! Didn't think to tell you to get one with the micrometer .

Now all you'll need is a velvet jewelers pad, a good incandescent lamp, an OTT fluorescent lamp, and some triplet hand lenses. I use a B&L 3X, 4X, 7X plastic lens combo along with B&L Hastings triplets in 5X or 7X (it's at home and I don't remember), 10X, 14X, and 20X. Each lens has a specific use BUT THIS IS OVER KILL! Some people collect watches; I like hand lenses

 

Welll......Back to Amazon I go....... ( I love shopping )

 

I've never done this: Just measured the thickness of a few copper wheat cents. None looked like yours though. Your coin has a difference of 024mm. Closest I came with several coins was .021 mm having 1.46 mm at its thickest.

I still do not think you have anything other than an oddity as I have seen cents like yours in pocket change over the years. The weight will tell if you have anything special. Cross your fingers!