Expert: Ronald Fern - 6/10/2010

Question
QUESTION: The 1945 and 1952 wheat pennies I have are not copper colored.  They look like silver but weigh 3.1 grams each.  The 1952 is almost perfect silver looking and the 1945 is a light color but has a film on it and I don't want to wash it.  Do you have any idea what these coins might be and their value.

I also have a 1943 wheat penny that looks like Lincoln's bust is doubled.  Have you heard of an error of this type or know what the value is or what I should do with it?

Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Joan:

Thanks for your question(s).

It is difficult to answer your question without a photo or seeing the coins, but I'll try. If you want to ask a follow-up question by providing a photo of the coins, or more of a description, I'll modify the answer, if required. From your description, it seems like the 1945 and 1952 cents may be plated. Your weight is what the "normal" coin weighs, and the plating may add a little, but the normal wear of the copper coin may negate the plating. Are your coins the same diameter and thickness as a "regular" copper wheat back cent? Plated coins are considered altered after they left the mint, and have no added numismatic value. They may sell for a dollar or two to an interested collector.

I've provided two links for you to see what type of other non-error coins exist.
See link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page15.html
See link: http://conecaonline.org/content/OhNo.htm

The same is true for your 1943 cent. It's possible what you may have is a reprocessed steel cent. This could give the appearance of doubling. It's hard to say without a photo or seeing the coin. Since many steel cents corroded and became dull soon after entering circulation, some dealers who sold the coins as novelties improved their appearance by "reprocessing" stripping off the old zinc coating and then replating them. These reprocessed coins have little or no numismatic value. It may also sell for a dollar or two to an interested collector.

For steel cent facts see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_steel_cent

Hope this helps explain what you may have. Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I wanted to add a photo of the 1943, 1945 and 1952.  They are the same size and thickness as a regular wheat penny.  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Again Joan:

Thanks for the follow-up question with the photos of your coins. The 1945 and 1952 coins appear to be plated. This is a good evaluation, when coupled by the fact that you say they are the same diameter and thickness as a "regular" wheat cent. I'm unable to verify the 1943 "error", as the photo wasn't clear enough under magnification to determine what you may have. It just looks "dirty". I stand by my original reply and estimates of the value of your coins.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate both this answer as well as my original response. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have. Getting rated is the only way I know if my efforts make a difference. To rate an answer, go to the "Thank/rate the expert" button and click. You are allowed to rate four areas of the reply, and please notice the question about a "Nomination" for Expert of the Month. I would really appreciate your "Yes", which I hope you believe that I deserve. If you have any more questions, I'll try and accommodate you. Please recommend me to your friends that collect coins.

I only get about half of the people even to read my questions, let alone rate me. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes or more to research and answer each question, sometimes over an hour.

Thanks again for the opportunity to help you with your numismatic questions, and continued Good Luck in your collecting.