Expert: Ronald Fern - 1/17/2011

Question
Hello. I have a question about a 1980 penny that I received in the early 80's. This penny is silver in color, and I suspect it is zinc, but I've been told that zinc pennies weren't available until 1982. I've been a penny collector for about thirty years, and was suspect at the time of receiving this coin that it was just plated silver or zinc. I first removed some material on the edge of a similar coin(2 were given to me)with a file and discovered no copper, just a silver color. Then it was cut in half with a pair of metal shears with the same results. That is, no copper. It was silver all the way through. I kept the remaining coin all these years, and was wondering if you can tell me what it is. I have tried to research it online, but everyone seems to think it's a fake or has been altered somehow. I know for a fact that it is silver in color throughout, so it must be zinc or silver. Any help in identifying this would be great. Thanks...

Answer
Hi Chris:

Thanks for your question.

First off, never destroy a coin that you think is odd or unusual. Any value of one of the two coins you were given has been erased by the fact that you cut it in half with metal shears. A coin that could have been worth hundreds to thousands of dollars is now worthless.

One of the keys to establishing what type of cent you have is to look at the specifics. A normal copper cent from 1962 to 1982 is 19.05 mm in diameter, 1.55 mm in thickness, and weighs 3.11 grams. It is made of brass (95% copper, 5% zinc). In 1982, the composition was changed, and both the prior metal and the present one, 97.5% zinc core, 2.5% copper plating, were put into circulation for that year.  For more information on the cent, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_(United_States_coin)

You could have a coin struck on a blank intended for another denomination or country. I cannot say without knowing your coin specifics. The only U.S. coin blank to fit in a cent die would be a dime. Dime blanks in 1980 were made of 91.7% Copper 8.3% Nickel, are 17.91 mm in diameter, 1.35 mm in thickness, and weigh 2.3 grams. This blank would be a sandwiched coin, and you should see a center of copper, so I'm guessing it is not a dime blank.

I found an article on "Foreign Coins Manufactured at the U.S. Mint". The Mint made coins for other countries into the early 1980's. You may want to review it for a possible match with your coin. See: http://www.pdxcoinclub.org/articles/Foreign%20Coins%20Struck%20at%20US%20Mints%2...

Here are two sites to check error values:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/userrorprices.asp
http://minterrornews.com/priceguide.html

Your coin could also have been altered by someone outside the mint, or a counterfeit. Altered or counterfeit coins would have no added numismatic value.

Sometimes people try and fool you into thinking you have a real error coin. Here are some examples of coins either being altered or damaged.
See link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page15.html
See link: http://conecaonline.org/content/OhNo.htm

You may want to check US coins and currency listings under errors on eBay from time to time to see if your coin is listed what this type of item may bring.

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 items 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.