Expert: PAPAJACK - 11/20/2006

Question
Hello, I have what appears to be a brand new 2005 penny from the Denver mint. However, it is silver colored. Is this an error by the mint? I got the coin quite a while ago, but I had kept it until now.  

Answer
Hello Edward,   

I see these from time to time. Most of the time it's just a novelty or collectors item. The US Mint did not strike it like this.

For testing, first check the specifications on the coin. 2.50 grams and 19mm round diameter. If it is anything else and we don’t have a cent blank used here.

If the coin is the correct size and within the weight tolerances of a normal cent there are a few possibilities.

It may be polished after the coin left the mint. With certain polishing mediums a silver look can be achieved. I have even seen cents cleaned in silver cleaners that change their color to silverish hues.

Or it was more probably plated or been in a nickel or chrome wash. Copper takes plating well but if you magnify the (fillet’s) area where the raised lettering is you will find a build-up of the plating material.

Things like this are worthless to true coin collectors. Most coin shops and all coin Shows Large or small will have people knowledgeable enough to identify this piece for you at no charge.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack