Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Stamping on 1956 penny

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Expert: - 1/17/2010


Question

1956 Stamped penny
I have a 1956 penny I came across and it has a "machined" stamp on it. I have never seen such a thing. Can you give me any info? Maybe, why someone would do that? I have scoured the internet and found no info. I have attached a scan of it. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Jobi:

Thanks for your question.

Your coin was altered by someone outside the mint after the coin was struck. It's possible the "1956" means something to the person who did it, like a birth year or anniversary. The back of the coin should be slightly deformed where the coin was punched from the other side.

It is an interesting conversation piece, but has no added numismatic value. The coin is a common date and mintmark and appears to be in very fine to extra fine condition. The coin has a value of about ten cents without the added punching.

You may want to check US coin listings under Lincoln cents on eBay from time to time to see if coins like yours are offered for sale, and what they bring.

Here's a link on a countermarked coin book for sale: http://www.exonumia.com/fs/cm.htm

Here's a link on an article by Dr. Sol Taylor on countermarked coins used for advertising: http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/signal/coins/sg072206-coins.htm

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.
    Questioner's Rating
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    CommentSuper fast answer. Thank you!


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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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