Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 2/11/2010

Question
I have a 1984 D penny that has an applied edge. It is not the copper that has rubbed off to reveal the zinc, rather it's a very delicate and precise edge that has been added and fixed with an inter-layer of the same material. The edge is slightly thicker than the penny (only by 1/2 a millimeter overall) and is uniformly convex. The edge's inter-layer is slightly lapped over the penny's rim and the outer text on both sides and is extremely uniform on one side, with the other side delicately soldered. The material appears to be zinc, or is at least not silver or steel. Do you know what/ why this was made? Thanks - I'm so curious!

Answer
Jessica, I have trouble visualizing what you describe, but your own description is that someone has added something to your piece.  I cannot imagine either why comeone would do this, but the thought of what curious little boys (and girls and men and women) will do with things comes to mind.  People like to experiment and it sounds like that's what you have (or maybe your cent was used in a project and then returned to circulation), Jim Lawniczak