Expert: Dan Moore - 3/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1985D Penny that looks like it was struck on a dime.  However, it looks thinner than a dime. You can see the date ok and the Lincoln profile ok, but the other wording is very faint.The back of the coin is much more visible.  Any idea of it's worth?  Thanks very much for your time.

Tony Ward

ANSWER: Tony,

Since pennies are made almost entirely of zinc, with a thin outer layer of copper, it is possible to make the coin look that way.  Once the acid eats away the copper, you are left with the silvery-looking zinc metal, so it could look like a dime.

Dan


--------------

Tony,

In lightly circulated condition, the coin lists for $100 to $150

Dan


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dan,

Thanks so much for your prompt reply, I very much appreciate it.  Two last questions: If this penny had been subjected to acid, the face and back feature of the penny would still be visible, correct?  Is there someone or a company that you would recommend me sending a digital photo or the actual penny too for them to verify if it has been altered.  I obviously hope that it has some worth, but now I'm doubting it's authenticity.

Thanks again for all your help!

Answer
Tony,

I've never done it myself, but I would think that the acid would affect all areas of the coin.  However, the metal in the raised areas of the coin will be of slightly different density than that in the flat fields, so it will likely have some difference in how much it is affected.

You can try sending large magnified pictures of both sides of teh coin to an error dealer I know :

mike@mikebyers.com

Good luck!

Dan