1953-D thin planchet

[Kostik]

I have a 1953-D thin planchet cent. I'm attaching a picture. The front and reverse relief is reasonably sharp, but the coin itself is very thin. As you can see from the old discolored cardboard holder, it's been sitting around for about 40 years. It came to me from my mother, who was a coin collector.

I'm wondering if it has any value. If anyone can shed any light on this, I would be grateful!

[jcuve]

Welcome to the forum!
There are few reasons one could have a thin coin. We would need slightly larger pics and if possible the weight of the coin.

From the photos provided I cannot tell if the surface has been altered; sometimes coins end up in a corrosive and become thin that way. I would expect to see less detail on the coin as a coin a on a rolled thin planchet doesn't usually fill up the striking chamber enough to receive full detail. From the photos provided I can rule out a split planchet and a few other anomalies.

Assuming that it hasn't been altered and it is rather thin, under weight and in good shape maybe $10-100...

[mustbebob]

Can you tell us what the exact weight is? It's possible it is a tapered planchet, but a weight will give us a starting point.

[mikediamond]

It was soaked in acid. It's not an error.

[Kostik]

It was soaked in acid. It's not an error.

Thanks Mike. If you're sure, I'll toss it. Can I ask how you can tell?

Kind of disappointing, after all these years!

[mikediamond]

Characteristics of such alterations include 1) a complete design that's uniformly fuzzy on both faces; 2) perfect centering; 3) odd surface texture (variable); 4) thin to absent design rim; 5) abnormally small diameter. Your coin has all these.

[Kostik]

Thanks a lot for the help!

[Kostik]

Mike, I took it out for a more careful examination and a better photo (see attached). It is fuzzy on both sides, with a surface texture like something frosted or sandblasted, and it is correctly centered. It doesn't have a rim like a regular Lincoln penny. The diameter is about 18+mm versus a regular Lincoln I measured about 19+mm.

I guess this is worth a penny (maybe less!).