The penny was indeed made at the mint. The state outline was added though... someone just took a little punch and punched it in.
It was made in Illinois! Counterstamped Cent.. same as these - Cent was minted at a Mint.. Incused image was not!
Brings back the days of that "wonderful" gift of 50 state pennies that my parents left for me under the tree when I was 12 years old learning about coins. I knew even then at that young age that telling my folks they just wasted their money on a load of crap was not a good idea. Have no idea what happened to them. I probably rolled them up and bought a few Gobstoppers.
I just saw the same framed set pictured above at an antique shop yesterday. I looked it over and thought it was kind of interesting, but not enough to pay $40 for it.
Wonder if Mike Mezak at HSN knows about these? By the way, he's on this evening. April Fool's is a good time for his schlock.
Lol I have so many of those Kennedy-Lincoln Cents! Got them for birthday party favors for my friends a while back. Also, I've heard of people who try to find all the state stamped cents in circulation. Sounds fun right? -SC
Have you ever haggled? I'm the master of it.. Just take out a $20 and say "Oh man, this is all I have. I really would of loved that frame."... most of the time they will take the money!