RARE? 1981 Penny Error?

Need some help with this error. It is an 1981 penny which weighs 1.9 grams. The redbook lists that this penny should weigh 3.11 grams. The plachet it extreamly thin but the details on the coin appear to be pretty good. Could this be struck on a foreign planchet? Any help of determining what it is and how much it is worth is greatly appreciated!
(slightly smaller than a normal penny, it has to rim)

 

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I don't see why anyone would fake a 1981 penny. That has to be an error of some sort, but I don't know what.

Can you determine what metal it's made of?

 

I dont understand how the weight could be off by over 1.2 grams... the tolerance for the penny is +/- 0.1 grams im pretty sure. Could it maybe be a foreign plachet?

 

Foreign planchet is my guess. It looks very weakly struck, which would be consistent with a smaller, thinner planchet than the press was expecting.

 

What would you expect the value to be? And how would i find out what the foreign planchet was?

 

Value? No clue. As to what the foreign planchet might be, I'd start by finding out what foreign coins of the appropriate size, weight, and metal were being struck by the US mint in Philadelphia in 1980-1981.

The table in this article has a list, but I'm not sure if it's exhaustive.

 

Interesting defiantly worth looking further into. Maybe Philippines? just a guess

 

My other thought is that it might be a victim of acid, like the coin here.

 

You have given us all evidence of an Acid Damage and Acid shrunk, the details look mushy. This is not a foreign Planchet and Not an error
I would like to share this webpage with you - http://www.error-ref.com/acid-shrunk-coins/

 

This is correct Paul.

 

I need to read more on error-ref.com.

 

now that I think of it, it does kinda remind me of the shrunken quarters I use to see on fleabay.

 

acid dip

 

The rim of the coin is perfectly smoth though. And an acid dip would take over 1.2 grams off of the coin and still leave all of the details in that great of condition?

 

Yes it will because it removes the entire surface at roughly the same rate.

 

I have enlarged your image... that looks sharp? It looks mushy!
As in Acid Dipped. It could of been a slightly thin Planchet to begin with.

 

Timothy Leary's pocket piece

 

I mean like how it still has all the detail and everything. I didnt know an acid dip could remove that much of the coin and still leave most of the details in tact.

 

Did you take a look at the webpage I shared with you on post #9?
If it were struck on a foreign planchet that was used at the US Mint during 1981 it would then have sharp details. Your Cent has evidence of mushiness and you even stated that it is slightly smaller. And of course thinner. Again.. all pointing to Acid Damage. Take it to a coin dealer and they will tell you the same.

 

I just looked at the page, it looks like that is what is it. Thanks for your help!