integrity1

Thank you. I always thought all wartime Jefferson nickels were 35%. I did not know about the lamination problem. I just observed several with different looks and sounds. I appreciate the information. Thanks. 

I have 2 Jefferson Nickels from 1943. both Philadelphia mint marks over Monticello on the Reverse. One weighs 5.2 Grams or 80 grains; the other weighs 4.8 Grams or 76 grains. The drop test from a few inches onto my desk reveal two entirely different sounds. The Coin at 4.8 grams has the typical silver sound, and has much wear. The 5.2 gram nickel has a different sound. It does not sound like a 1940 Nickel, that is 49 Grams or 76 grains. I am entirely confused. Did they make any nickels in 1943 out of another metal than Silver? 

I recently acquired a 1943 Steel Lincoln cent from a Whitman folder purchased at an estate sale. I immediately noticed that this piece showed no apparent signs of corrosion and had a rainbow like hue about it. After examining it under a digital microscope, the coin showed great detail in the strike and had a copper colored residue. I took the coin to a local assay house, and it came out as 98.08% Fe and 1.92% Cu with <0.10 Zn. The coin weighs 40 grains or 2.7 grams. What do you all think I have here?

Check out next months Coin World magazine for further details. 

Now that NGC certification# 4730897-001 is officially certified genuine, how do I get a press release from NGC? 

Thank you "Just Bob!". The results are in on my 1943 P Lincoln cent: Check out NGC certification 4730897-001 

I really appreciate your advice in talking with Roger Burdette. He was and is quite helpful! It is my opinion that it looks like an experimental cent slipped into circulation, and ended up in the pocket of a 9 year old. That 9 year old is now older, and just had this coin certified by NGC. All of these 47 years, I thought the coin was a steel cent covered with zinc, until I put a magnet to it. You just never know what you have in your pocket.  

I most certainly will. Thanks again!

Thanks. And also, thank you for directing me to Burdette. He has given me a great deal of encouragement. So far, everyone from the Metallurgist from the assay office, to my contact at the ANA and now Mr. Burdette, are encouraging me to move forward to coin grading. I will do so this week. Thanks again.  

52 minutes ago, Just Bob said:

Just to be clear, since your post mentioned both dates, is your coin a 1942, or 1943?

I am honestly not sure where to look. Before I posted last night, I also checked Coppercoins.com and Variety Vista, and performed a quick internet search. I came up with nothing from those three attempts also.

Roger Burdette is a member of this forum, and pops in from time to time. He is a friendly guy, and probably would not mind if you sent him a PM. He goes by RWB on here. David Lange is Research Director for NGC. You might also try PMing him, as well.

To be clear, here is my post:

I have a 1943 Philadelphia cent that just came back from the assay office with a metallurgical analysis of: 

85.46% TIN (Sn)

8.57% ANTIMONY (Sb)

5.56% COPPER (Cu)

0.41% LEAD (Pb)

I will try reaching Burdette and Lange. I recently read "the complete guide to Lincoln cents, by David Lange, and Pattern and experimental pieces of WW2, by Roger Burdette. Though I am new to the chat portion of NGC, I have been a member of the ANA for decades and a life long collector. I REALLY appreciate your suggestion to contact these great men. I had no idea that they could be reached on this forum. Thanks a million!

Thank you for your analysis. I have owned this coin since the late sixties. I found this coin in circulated condition. I hope that 50 years ago, someone had not counterfeited a penny. The coin appears as a steel cent. I owned 8 other 1942 zinc coated steel cents. I took a magnet to all, and this coin was the only one that did not stick to the magnet. I am researching this using the 2005 Judd book, and the 2012 Burdette book and searching the auction history. Going on the assumption of authenticity, where else should I research?

I have a 1943 Philadelphia cent that just came back from the assay office with a metallurgical analysis of: 

85.46% TIN (Sn)

8.57% ANTIMONY (Sb)

5.56% COPPER (Cu)

0.41% LEAD (Pb)

Does anyone know if there are any records of experimental coins that resemble this make-up? 

Ps. This combination of metals is properly known as "pewter", and it resembles a steel cent, but it does not stick to a magnet....Trying to make sense of my cent...