1972 D Steel

[Guest]

I've had this penny since the late 70s. It is the coin that sparked my interest in the hobby when I was a kid. I dropped it in the bag I kept my coins in and forgot about it. A few years ago, I pulled out my coins to show a friend and ran across it again.

It is steel and sticks to a magnet. I did weigh it but I can't recall the result.

Is it as rare, or just a cool coin for the collection?

[simonm]

It seems to be plated outside the mint. PMD, no added value, sorry.

EDIT: still worth investigating, you never know.

[liveandievarieties]

How strongly does it stick to a magnet? Might be worth further investigation.

[roy]

very nice plateing job,if it is plated.try some acetone or maybe verdi-care.then look at the feilds of the coin.

[Wildman]

How strongly does it stick to a magnet? Might be worth further investigation.

It sticks strong enough to rule out being plated. Also, it had the right weight for a steel planchet when I had investigated it after rediscovering it. I have since forgotten the results so I need to reweigh it to be sure.

My main question is do you think this coin would be worth sending to be graded and verified? Is it worth the trouble?

Thanks

[roy]

i read an artical in coin world mag.that a person at a show wanted his 1974 alumminum lincoln coin slabbed by pcgs and he was told to send it to them but to have it done on another country like europe or some where because it was an illegal coin ?

[liveandievarieties]

After several thousand submissions in the last couple of years, I truly don't believe the grading companies are qualified to verify it's authenticity. For someone who is newer to the hobby, this may sound rediculous but it's true. You'd be best sending it to a well respected expert like Mike Diamond who can assess your coin and write you a letter of authenticity if it is indeed struck on an off metal. If real, I'd then send it to a grading company with the letter included.

While I don't think it has any chance of being struck on a WWII era steel planchet (which should weigh 2.7 grams) it's possible that the coin was struck on a foreign planchet, as the Mint was doing contract work for other countries at this time and I've seen other Lincolns of this era struck on various foreign planchets.

IF your coin proves out to be struck on a foreign planchet, it's value would be in the hundreds, under $500.

[liveandievarieties]

Yes Roy, but I don't believe the aluminum pattern cent has any relation to the coin above.

[Wildman]

i read an artical in coin world mag.that a person at a show wanted his 1974 alumminum lincoln coin slabbed by pcgs and he was told to send it to them but to have it done on another country like europe or some where because it was an illegal coin ?

That is one thing that has crossed my mind. I'd hate to lose this coin, It's the coin that sparked my interest in collecting.

[liveandievarieties]

To heck with that- If I had a 1974 Aluminum Cent, I'd fly my happy butt straight down to Irvine and watch them every step of the way if they wanted to put their name on my coin. If I remember correctly, TPGs have turned controversial coins over to the government in the past. No way I'd take a chance hoping they just sent it back to me. I'd hold their hands through the whole process!

[willbrooks]

aluminum is not magnetic.

[liveandievarieties]

We know Will- subjects got crossed- the OP asked about a magnetic cent he thought was steel. Then another brought up the 1974 Aluminum cent. Then I proceeded to muddy the waters... Sorry!

[willbrooks]

We know Will- subjects got crossed- the OP asked about a magnetic cent he thought was steel. Then another brought up the 1974 Aluminum cent. Then I proceeded to muddy the waters... Sorry!

Oh, crud. Where is the "I haven't had any coffee yet" emoticon. Welcome to LCR, lol.

[Maineman750]

I agree with what Chris said in the beginning..send it to Mike Diamond...he will examine it and you don't have to worry about it being confiscated. His email is mdia1 (at) aol (dot) com
I spelled at and dot so the spambots don't get him although I've seen him post it on here enough anyway.

And your coin is basically worthless until attributed so you've not much to lose.

[Wildman]

I agree with what Chris said in the beginning..send it to Mike Diamond...he will examine it and you don't have to worry about it being confiscated. His email is mdia1 (at) aol (dot) com
I spelled at and dot so the spambots don't get him although I've seen him post it on here enough anyway.

And your coin is basically worthless until attributed so you've not much to lose.

Just a penny

Thanks for the contact info and thanks to everyone for their help.