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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1942 penny
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Question
I had a 1943 steel penny in my collector's book. When I went to add the 1943 D steel penny to my book I found the 1943 penny to be completely black. As I went to clean it, it came up pink as a brand new penny. Why would a steel penny do that? Aren't the steel pennies completely steel? Why did this one have just a light coating? Is this the one that they have been looking for and couldn't find because someone coated it with steel or zinc? Thank you very much for any information on this. Sincerely, Anastasia.
Hello Anastasia,
First off, never clean coins, it diminishes their value.
1943 pennies are steel, coated with zinc. over time, the zinc wears away exposing the steel which ultimately will rust. One way to know if your penny is steel is to place a magnet to it. If it is steel, it will be attracted to the magnet.
Regards
Joe Hylas
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| Comment | I got the same information that I knew. I had to clean the coin because it was going to cause a mess in my coin album. If it doesn't respond to a magnet what do I have or do? was a question left unanswered and I thought that was implied if not my apologies. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Joe Hylas
Expertise
Numismatic professional with over 30 years experience can answer your questions about US coins, their values, how best to sell them and where to buy them. Interested in starting a collection? Find out which areas are undervalued and how to acquire those coins at the best price.
Experience
Ex-Head Precious Metals trader for Deak-Perera International with 42 offices worldwide. Industry experience since 1978. Has worked co-operatively with US Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, Austrian Mint, Chamber of Mines of South Africa, World Gold Council and Platinum Guild International. Professioanl numismatist specializing in US Coins. Always buying collections, will travel if size of collection warrants. Website: www.AllCoins.US
Organizations
PCGS, NGC, Rotary
Publications
Physician's Money Digest
Education/Credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration
Awards and Honors
Paul Harris Fellow
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