Expert: PAPAJACK - 7/17/2008

Question
I came across a 1973 penny that looks normal except that on the front there is what looks like a profile of JFK.  I have never seen a penny like this.  I am not sure where it even came from.  Could you please give me some information about this.  Thanks Melinda

Answer
 
Hello Melinda,

The coin you describe is a well-known piece.

This coin is not an error or an official issue, but was made by someone who manipulated a regular U.S. one-cent coin by simply stamping an image of John F. Kennedy next to Lincoln. Several variations on this theme circulate.

They usually come on a card with the strange similarities between the Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy.

Both Were Shot
Lincoln shot in a theater and Kennedy's assassin was caught in a theater.
Lincoln had a secretary named Kennedy and J. F. Kennedy had a secretary named Lincoln.
ETC>…

None of these fantasy coins hold a numismatic value. They are worth only a cent, maybe more as a conversation piece. They have been made since the late sixties.

The cent was a normal coin prior to its disfigurement.

Here are three sites giving the coincidences some are off the wall.

http://theshadowlands.net/jfk.htm

http://hcs.harvard.edu/demon/issues/nov_20_1999/lincoln-kennedy/lincoln-kennedy....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln-Kennedy_coincidences

I hope this information helps. Please remember to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Good Luck

PapaJack