Expert: PAPAJACK - 1/3/2007

Question
My husband has a collection of "novelty" state pennies from 1976.They have each state engraved over the dates.We are missing 2 states and have been searching for 3 years to replace them.My question is-Do you have any idea what company made them,or how to find them??We have searched ebay ect...but have had no luck.The coins were given to my husband by his father,who passed away 9 years ago.I know these have sentimental value for my husband,we are not really concerned about what little they are worth.I would just like to replace the states that got lost.
Thank you for your time&patience--evie

Answer
Hello Evie,   

What states are you missing I can keep an eye out for them. I do come across them occasionally at coin shows. I know of no one currently selling or producing the state sets.

These are real cents that have been altered. I have never seen a complete set and do not know what company altered the coins.
I have not seen any post 1982 cents stamped like this so keep looking for the 1976 date. In 1982 the composition of the cent was changed to a zinc core and it would look and strike differently.  

There is no added collector value to it since it was modified by a private entity after it left the mint. They were made as a novelty

I saw a lot of them made in the 1970's one for each state for placement in a penny board.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack