Expert: Joe Hylas - 2/27/2007

Question
I do not have anything to measure the exact diameter but if you put it on top of another penny, it is the exact same size. I put it on a scale at work and it weighed 0.80 grams.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I have a 1953 wheat penny that looks like and feels like a  wafer, it is significantly thinner than a normal penny, still has all features-ruling out the possibility of being smashed flat, and still has very good grading. What do they call this type of error and is it common or rare?
-----Answer-----
Hi Paul,
I don't specialize in errors.  It's possible that what you have is a coin that was struck on a foreign planchet.  You would need the exact diameter in milimeters and the exact gram weight to get any more info.

Regards
Joe Hylas

Answer
Hi Paul,
for a 1953 cent, it should weigh 3.11 grams.  My guess it that it is on a foreign planchet, that is the only thing I can think of.  That is unless one side has been ground down.
I suggest you send the coin to ANACS, the authentication service of the American Numismatic Assoc.  You can find their info on the web.

Good Luck
Regards
Joe Hylas