Expert: Ronald Fern - 9/9/2010

Question
I have 1982 penny that is 1/2 silver and 1/2 copper. it's not 1 side copper and 1 side silver, it's 1/2 and 1/2 on each side. I doesn't look like it was dipped in something to do this? Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Dawn:

Thanks for your question.

It is hard to give you exact answer about your coin without either seeing the coin, looking at photos, or having additional information. I'll try and answer, but if you want to ask a follow up question and provide added information and/or photos, I'll revise my answer, if required.

From your description, it sounds like you may an improperly plated planchet or an altered coin. In 1982, the mint changed the composition of the cent from copper to copper plated zinc. This was a transition year and coins were struck in both metals. The change took place as the value of the copper went to more than the cost of production and face value of the coin. The unstruck coin blanks made in zinc are plated in copper after they are punched out. It's possible the surface of your blank was "dirty", and the plating did not adhere on the blank on one side. In this case, if real, the approximate retail value would likely be in the $10 to $25 range to an interested error collector.

You may want to check ebay listings under US coins in the error category to see if your coin is listed and what it is going for. You may also want to check out these links on error coin values:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/USErrorPrices.asp
http://www.minterrornews.com/priceguide.html

It also could be altered. The plating could have been removed from one side of your coin after it left the mint. Altered coins have no added numismatic value. Sometimes people try and fool you into thinking you have a real error coin. There are other examples of coins either being altered or damaged.
See link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page15.html
See link: http://conecaonline.org/content/OhNo.htm

If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to the value at no charge. Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers if possible. If you should decide to sell your coin to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value. Here's a link to find one in your area: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

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.