Hi everyone, I was digging through some old coins and came across what looks like a plated 1940 wheat penny. The edges are not silver and are a more or a red brown than the other pennies from around that time. It seems to be slightly thinner, and maybe a fraction smaller. From what I've read online, maybe it was coated post-mint? I'd love to hear what you think. Thanks!
The OP stated that quote "It seems to be slightly thinner, and maybe a fraction smaller." closed quote - There are many Wheat Cents made during those years that were struck on slightly thinner Planchets and the OP stated that it's just a fraction smaller which is no big thing. The most important question was the plating, I think the weight has nothing to do with it.
Ok guys.. let me make one thing clear. It was not my intention to try and make anyone feel stupid. @rzage, you have every right to ask any question you like so I apologize. I have been collecting Error coins for 30 years now and I only have really started to fully educate myself more about them in the past 5 years. And I can say that I learn new things all the time. I don't know everything about errors or non errors. Hope that we are cool!
I was going to mention that I didn't think you were one of those people . Also after I thought about it my question wasn't the brightest one . We're cool !
You might want to be careful with that. When I was a kid, people (probably other kids) used to put mercury on coins to give them a silvery look. Who knew at the time that mercury was so toxic?
Almost looks like a steel/zinc cent but maybe not the correct time period I'm thinking. Maybe someone randomly plated it in another metal in hopes that they can sell the world's first "SILVER LINCOLN CENT!" - that's my first guess.
