Copper plated 1943 steel cent possible?

[amnight]

I found this coin the front looks to have copper on it but the back looks steel. What I wanted to know is if it is possible this was a copper coated steel cent or did someone try to coat it post mint. It is attracted to a magnet as well. Thanks.

[willbrooks]

The obverse and reverse look exactly the same. It is a normal steel cent with corrosion and PMD.

[jallengomez]

Copper plated steel cents are very common. Over the years, they've been plated and sold as novelty items, so it's uncommon at all to find them. If ever in doubt, weigh it.

[amnight]

I tried taking more close up pictures. I don't know if they will help as it might need to be seen in hand to see the copper. But, on the obverse you can see where it looks like the copper wore off and shows the steel underneath. I also took a picture of both the copper plated and normal steel cent together, maybe that will help. Thanks.

[amnight]

Copper plated steel cents are very common. Over the years, they've been plated and sold as novelty items, so it's uncommon at all to find them. If ever in doubt, weigh it.

What should it weigh if it is plated? 3.11grams?

[jallengomez]

If it's plated, it should be closer to the weight of a steel cent which is 2.7 grams.

[amnight]

It does weigh about 2.7 grams. So it is a novelty item, correct?

[jallengomez]

Yes. That means it was a steel cent that someone plated. There are examples of 1943 cents struck on copper planchets, but those would obviously weigh in at 3.11 grams.

[pennies4pennies]

If you ever see a 1943 that looks like copper, put a magnet to it. If it sticks it's steel.
I have two copper coated ones and they look really as can be but a magnet proves other wise.

[GrumpyEd]

If you ever see a 1943 that looks like copper, put a magnet to it. If it sticks it's steel.

It's the easy first step.
If at home see if it sticks to the door seal on your refrigerator. I seem to lose all magnets

I find copper plated ones in wheat bags, many must have been plated and find their way into groups of wheats.

[Maineman750]

This is probably just a home experiment.I did one last year by looking it up on the internet and forgot the exact process,but I know salt and vinegar were involved...pretty easy to do,but messy.

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/demonstrations/a/aa022204a.htm

[jcuve]

If that's rust (i.e. iron oxide) at the E of ONE, that would tell you that it's a corroded steely. Copper doesn't oxidize in that manner, or turn that color.