Expert: PAPAJACK - 9/18/2008

Question
My grandfather has a set of 1989 pennies that all have a different outline of each of the fifty states.  He is now looking for more sets.  Do you know anything about these coins and where I can find more?  Thank you for your time.

Chloe Suckling

Answer
I have not seen a set made after 1982 but if your set is 1989 there is a chance they are still being made.
I do come across them occasionally at coin shows. I know of no one currently selling or producing the state sets.

These are real cents that have been altered. I have never seen a complete set and do not know what company altered the coins.
I have not seen any post 1982 cents stamped like this so keep looking for the 1976 date. In 1982 the composition of the cent was changed to a zinc core and it would look and strike differently.  
There is no added collector value to it since it was modified by a private entity after it left the mint. They were made as a novelty and sold as a collectable.
I saw a lot of them made in the 1970's one for each state for placement in a penny board.

Your best bet is looking on-line and coin shows.
If you don't have the time you can ask some local dealers to look around for you.
But I want to add I have not seen complete sets in a long time. Most are missing one or two pieces.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack