Error Planchet | Highly Magnetic 1941 Cent

[lonegunlawyer]

I have a highly magnetic 1941 cent. This morning I decide to place the cent in a hard plastic 2X2. This cent's obverse is brown copper colored with an approximate 2mm silver colored blotch east of Lincoln's face and the reverse is primarily silver colored (the edge of the coin is approximately half and half). After placing it in the 2X2, I again tested its magnetic properties with a fairly strong magnet. I held the 2X2 firmly, but not tightly. At approximately an inch from the magnet, the 2X2 tore from my fingers and held tightly to the magnet.

I cannot help but believe there is something more than a post-Mint coating of a magnetic metal or compound (especially since the silver spot on the obverse does not appear to be the first layer).

I believe it to be a foreign planchet composed of 100% nickel. Generally a coin composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel will not stick to a magnetic, however, a 100% nickel coin will.

In 1940, the Mint (San Francisco) struck 100% nickel 10 Centavo coins for France. Perhaps some of these 1940 Indo-China 10 Centavo planchets were used at the Philadelphia Mint to strike cents because in 1941, France changed the composition to 75% copper and 25% nickel (hence, the 1940 10 Centavo is magnetic and the 1941 is not).

Any solid evidence as to what this is? If not, any thoughts or opinions (other than PMD-unless you know it's PMD)?

[Maineman750]

Weight would be the first big clue...but on most of these, an in hand examination would probably be required. Pictures and weight might get a good guess out of some of our error experts though.

[lonegunlawyer]

Thank you. if I am going to be serious about cents as a whole, I should get myself an accurate digital scale for such purpose.

[Maineman750]

I use my cartridge reloading scale and then convert to grams.....but, yes, a camera and an accurate scale are almost mandatory for errors. Just a camera will do for varieties.

[lonegunlawyer]

Yes! It has been years since I purchased a camera, any recommendation?

Also, at this time I use a 16X loupe. Any recommendations regarding viewing magnification?

[Maineman750]

Nope..almost any decent digital camera will get you by..I'm sure you'll get all kinds of suggestions once our regular crowd gets here.As far as loupe power, I use a 10x for searching and keep a 20x for real close or questionable work. I wouldn't go too high simply because you can see too much sometimes. That's all in personal preference as I don't really look for too much of the minor doubled dies...but that's just me.

[Roller]

There are many threads and posts on photography, cameras and microscopes on this site. You need to consult them.

[coop]

It maybe plated or coated with mercury. Seems like years around a planchet change they get altered to create a error coin. If it were steel, it would stick to you magnet as strong as a steel cent. The edge of the rim might provide an answer. Look for copper showing through the rim. A small scratch on the coin might show what is underneath? Don't scratch the obverse/reverse to see this. A mark on the edge might show what is going on with your coin.

[lonegunlawyer]

The edge is about half and half. Do you mean the silver colored part of the edge?

[tea-party]

I use a 40x loupe and that way I miss nothing, and when things get really questionable I have my 80x-100x microscope to really see whats going on.Trust me,I find the stuff most collectors over look because they're under powered!!!


John

[lonegunlawyer]

I am very detail oriented, and very loathe to take a stand on something unless I feel pretty good about it. I like the idea of the microscope to be as certain as possible.

[flyhi3]

I use a 40x loupe and that way I miss nothing, and when things get really questionable I have my 80x-100x microscope to really see whats going on.Trust me,I find the stuff most collectors over look because they're under powered!!!


John

Thats what I need, but I need to find the right one. I would really like one of those 60X + loupes, but I missed my oppertunity when someone had one on here.

[coop]

So if it is half and half, the planchet must be copper?

[lonegunlawyer]

So if it is half and half, the planchet must be copper?

I just looked at it again for quite a while under 40X and it does appear that at least the reverse has a light coating of something. If that is the only substance making it magnetic, I am impressed. It will hold itself and 8 other copper cents in a stack to the magnet and held upside down.

[jfines69]

Sounds like this coin needs to be looked at in hand by one of the pros we have here... Maybe you will be lucky and have the only magnetic 41 out there... Kind of like the 43 copper!!!