Expert: PAPAJACK - 10/18/2008

Question
I have a 1921 Silver Lincoln penny and I cannot find any information about it.  Do you know anything about this coin?

Thank you,

Jack O'Shea

Answer
Hello Jack,        

I found no recorded error in my catalogs of an off-metal strike on your cent.

How clear is the Obverse of the coin?
Is the design very strong and detailed?

I have heard of a few ways of this happening:
There was always the possibility of an off-metal coin blank getting stuck in the bins the mint used and ending up in another production run. (This error would have to be confirmed by an expert.)

Another possibility if the coin is a cent struck on a different Coin blank for another country perhaps. The USA One Cent coin should weigh 3.11 Grams and a 19MM diameter.

Get a good magnifier and a light source. Examine the edge on the coin at all angles.
If the surface is kind of rough and pitted it sounds like it may have been in an acid bath.
(Perhaps in a plating shop where they strip chrome and nickel plating all day.) Also someone may have plated the coin. Usually an error leaving the mint is fairly well struck.

If you still suspect it to be a genuine error it needs to be checked by a specialist. If it is a genuine error, it will have numismatic value. But it cannot be estimated without a knowledgeable coin person seeing it.

The Item would have to be seen to be accurately appraised. A photograph would not really help with this. If you 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 there. They are ethical and trustworthy.

Or there is help at most large coin shows. There are representatives from the grading services. ANACS service even some smaller shows. They give free consultations on coins at their table. If you need to find a show or an error coin authenticator in your area just write me again.

Again most likely the coin has a plating or residue on it. This renders then worthless to true coin collectors. Only if the coins had come from the U.S. Mint this way would they be valuable.

I hope this information Helps.

Good Luck

PapaJack