Expert: PAPAJACK - 5/31/2008

Question
I recently found a penny that appears to be only half.  It has the "tails" side and the other is shiny silver.  It looks like it came apart and the "heads" side is missing.  The tails side looks exactly like a real penny.  Do you have any idea what this is?  Can a penny fall apart?  Is it worth anything?

Thanks for any info. you can offer!
Amy

Answer
Hello Amy,                                         

A cent would not comeapart as you say.
There are two possibilities.
If the coin was made after 1982 it is a zinc cent with a copper coat. The copper coating was removed on the coin you have. It would weigh less than 2.5 grams.

If the coin is made prior to 1982 it is a copper cent and someone has removed the design and plated the coin with chrome or nickel etc…

Hope this information helps.

Good Luck