Expert: PAPAJACK - 8/2/2008

Question
The planchet of the penny that I have is the same diameter but the thickness is less than half of a normal penny. each side has two very slight partial impressions of a normal penny on the upper and lower portions of the planchet. The front has a portion of Lincolns head and the words we trust are visible in one area and only a very slight portion of the top of his head in the other. On the reverse side the lower right part of the monument and NE CENT is visible in one portion and only the letters ENT is visible in the other. The center on both sides is blank. Thank you for taking my question.

Answer
Hello Dan,                        

From your description it does seem the coin blank your coin was struck on was too thin.

Any value for the error you might have is not posted in any catalog or list.
As with any actual types of error coins "the Greater the error the Greater the Value" is the rule, and it does have to be an error made at the US Mint.  
So your coin has to be seen by a knowledgeable person to decide how great the error is.

Perhaps the blank was thin, maybe meant to be for another country or possibly a slug that some else produced.  

If it is authentic it is worth what an error-collector is willing to buy it for. Someone that wants this off-metal-strike or Wrong-planchet error may pay more than a common coin collector.

If you want I can help put you in touch with an American Numismatic Association Member near you to take a look at the coin. Write me back, give me the nearest large Cities, some postal zip codes. I will refer you to an expert in your area.

I hope this information helps.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack