I have two lincoln memorial back pennies that are different and I do not know what to think about them. The first one is a1974 in excellent condition and a matte silver finish. I have heard that there are a few aluminum pennies that got out and I am 99.99% sure I am not lucky enough to have one of these. I got it in a large bag of wheat pennies from Ebay. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be going on with the penny and what it may be worth? The second one is a 1987D and it is a darker gray matte finish ... more like a tin finish. I was wondering if maybe the last copper coating was not placed on this one. Again the coin looks perfect except for the darkness to the gray coating. If anyone could help me with their thoughts, and what they think they would be worth I would appreciate the help. I am at a loss.
I was just wondering if anyone had any theorys ... I don't know if my digital camera would give a good enough picture to tell ... I may try tomorrow. Thanks for writing back.
First off, it is not aluminum. None have been found yet. Try watching this; http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1262456/make_a_gold_penny/. That might explain your silver finish. Without a pic, I have no idea about the 87-D.
Barry, Please explain what you mean by a Matte finish on your two coins. The Mint made Matte Proof coins early last century and those coins had a sandblasted look to them. Is that what your coins look like? We really, really, really need to see photos of your coins to be able to help you.
The 1974 penny is a more semigloss finish ... and the 1987d is a darker gray ... I assume the second one is dirtier as it is more worn. looking at them the 1974 appears to be smoother in the finish as the 1987d appears as if it was a rougher finish. I understand you need to see pictures ... and I will try my best to take some. I have them in 2x2 cards and I will take them out and try to take pictures of them. Oh yeah, I took them to a local jeweller and we weighed the coins. I am not sure that the scale was very accurate, but the 1974 weighed about 3.2g (heavier, right?) and the 1987d weighed 2.6g. I do appreciate the input in help. I will look into taking pictures in the next day or two. I am disabled and do as I can. I really do appreciate your input as I have been stumped with them. I was sure that it was not the aluminum one for 1974 and that was why I took it to the jeweller ... hahha.
The 1974 is overweight, but that could mean it is plated with something, hence the added weight. Also, I wouldn't buy anything from that jeweler if his scales can't be trusted!!!
They are both a little overweight, but still within tolerance. From the descriptions, the 74 has been plated and the 87 has probably had its plating chemically stripped.
That is what I was t hinking ... one had a layer removed or never put on it and the other had something added. Thanks for the input. I still may try to place pictures on here.
I know this sounds dumb, but we have a scratched one, and deep scratches, and below them - silver color. So, take a change, if they are coated, wouldn't the copper color come through? Just don't scratch the writing or head of Lincoln, we are fortunate that did not occur on ours.
But if yours did happen to be an off-metal planchet, that heavy scratch dropped the value by about two thirds to three quarters. (In other words if it was a $200 coin it is now >$50. So please don't go advising people to "take a chance" and scratch their coins.)
May I ask about the 1974 Aluminum Penny? Does anyone know if they sold it? And, if they did, how much was it sold for? I will never say take a chance and scratch your coin again....Sorry
No aluminum cent has ever sold at auction. Only one Philadelphia piece is currently known in private hands and it is in the same family as the original owner (The Toven coin). The government has made no attempt to retrieve it. There is only one known Denver coin. it was going to be sold last year, but the government took steps to try and recover it and it was pulled from the auction. It is currently still in the hands of the family of it's original owner and the legal case is still ongoing.
The government is always involved it seems. I thought I read that case was over and that they could sell their coin. Am I wrong?
I think have 1993 d that am all most touch anyone tell me.anything I have two one AM is drop out line what mean is the A but m is lower than A
Hi Gerald, welcome to the forum. You could try just posting in your native language and someone may be able to translate. That might work better.
Mercury - there was a time when school kids would take a little mercury and rub it into the surface of the coin.
All I know is if anyone has a silver color penny, do not waste your time sending it in for them to check out your penny. Our 1972 Penny was sent back. According to the RED BOOK, if a coin is not supposed to be made of a different alloy, they do not recognize it as an unusual or valuable coin. Very disappointing....I have wanted to write the authors/experts and ask, why? They seem to think that someone at the mint purposely minted the penny we own that way, thus, it is of no value. My thinking is, gee, when my husband received this coin as a kid, he sure did not contact the mint and order a silver color penny. It was not dipped, coated, etc. It is silver color all the way through it. But, if you look at the RED BOOK...too bad for you. It is apparently made of nickel, which gives it the magnetic properties. According to the RED BOOK, they do not take this into consideration. I have not read it in a while, so forgive me if it is not stated precisely, however, that is the basic jest of what we learned. Even after this disappointment, I am more of coin collector than ever. I look at each and every coin I touch... My father left me bags of wheat pennies, I go through them when ever I have extra time. MAYBE I will find a winner in one of his bags....who knows? Best of luck to all of my fellow collectors!
