Expert: PAPAJACK - 8/18/2009

Question
I found a 1945 S penny that's is great shape for its age but the tales side did not get stamped and is just flat. What is the estimated value of a coin like this.

Thanks

Answer
Hello Kodie,                     

It is not a coin produced in the US Mint. A specimen like this, if real, will have to be seen and appraised by an experienced expert.

If real it has some value, it would have to be some kind of test piece though. Or one that flipped over and landed exactly atop the next blank fed into the press machine.

The mint could not make a good punch on the one side only and have left it blank on the other.

A worker may have used a piece of a soft metal to test a die prior to use in the process. These scraps are destroyed. The chances of it being authentic are very slim. More likely a individual made it or modified a regular cent removing the image on one side of the coin.

If you still think it is authentic and need help finding a qualified coin person in your area feel free to write me back for the information.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack