Expert: PAPAJACK - 8/4/2007

Question
My son found a 2002 us penny that is perfect on the face side, but does not have a back on it at all.  The back side is indented perfectly as if the coin is half a coin.  The "inside" is silver in color.  I cannot find anything about error coins specific to what he has.  What can you tell us?  Thank you.

Answer
Hello Daphne,                           

The way cents are produced the Anvil or bottom die is stationary below the collar that holds the loaded one cent blank.
The coins are fed into the collar very fast after the raised edge is (rim) imparted to the blank. If a cent was stuck on the anvil die when the Hammer die came down it would have imparted the design on both sides of the coin.

As for The silver color, Modern cents are only copper coated although the design may only be .010 inch hi and easy to remove it would expose the zinc core.

If it has the raised rim on both edges this must have happened after it left the mint and is therefore worthless. It is a defaced cent. Possibly done on purpose I have seen trick coins where a US Dime is inserted into the One Cent after it is hollowed out.   

Sorry I cannot be more help. If you still thing it is a minting defect you can write back with the general location (nearest large cities) and telephone area code or codes and some zip codes in your area, I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near you. They are ethical and trustworthy.

Or there is also help at most coin shows even some smaller shows.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack