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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/a copper coated silver penny?

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Expert: - 8/20/2008


Question
sir i have found a penny that looks to be copper laminated, or coated, on both sides, it looks as though the laminate is rubbed off to a shinny silver or steel look, and on Lincoln's face is  a place that looks chipped to a shinny finish, it is not paint and side by side with a newer penny it is visibly slimmer than a regular penny, although it is a 2004 D and when dropped on a table it does not have the same type sound or resonance or heavy sound as the other, what could this be? is it worth hanging onto?

Answer
Sorry Barry, but all you have is an abused penny.

Modern pennies (since 1982) are made almost entirely of zinc, with a thin outer copper coating.  So if you wear off (or chip off) the copper layer, then the zinc core becomes exposed.

Having no collector value, feel free to spend it.

Dan

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Dan Moore

Expertise

My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

Organizations I belong to :
American Numismatic Association Member #187770
Michigan State Numismatic Society Member #8255
Florida United Numismatics Member #19710
Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
WINS Member #14
CoinMasters Member #1814

Frequently Asked Questions :
I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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