Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 7/10/2007

Question
QUESTION: i have a silver penny dated 1987 is it rare or worth anything?

ANSWER: I seem to have gotten a lot of questions lately about these "silver" cent.  First, I can't imagine how you could have a silver cent from 1987.  Even if the cent had been struck on a dime planchet, it would be copper nickel (silver was no longer used on US dimes after 1964).  If your piece is the size of a dime, then it was probably struck on a dime planchet and would have substantial value.  But if it is the size of a cent, the most likely explanation is that someone playing with a cent painted it with a silver colored material and that's what you are seeing now.  If that is the case, then your piece has no additional value. Jim Lawniczak

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

QUESTION: are siver pennies supposed to stick to a magnet and i already put it in bleacch to see if it would stick

Answer
There are no "silver" pennies (but to answer your question, no, silver is not attracted to magnets).  If your cent was a steel cent made in 1943, it would be attracted to a magnet.  The copper/zinc cents are not attracted to magnets.  I don't know what you mean that you put the piece in bleach to see if it would stick to a magnet.  The two don't seem to be connected to me.  In any event, please don't use bleach on a coin -- bleach is an alkaline corrosive and will do serious damage to a coin, and if it is valuable, substantially (if not completely) reduce the value.  Jim Lawniczak