1959 cent with no back, magnetic

[scanman]

Question that some of you pros might be able to answer. I have a 1959 cent that was given to me by my mom. On the obverse it appears as a regular cent, nice brown color, as well as the rim. When you flip the cent over the reverse is not there and is recessed. The metal that is on the back is slightly rusted and the coin will in fact stick to a magnet. Any body have any idea what might of been going on with this coin. I will try to take pictures tomorrow when I have better lighting. Off hand the only thing I can think of, is that maybe some jewelry making process caused this coin to be like this or a failed attempt at making another 1959 Mule.

[jcuve]

Sounds like a magic coin, a specific type where they glued in a small peice of steel so it was magnetic...it was called a...oh, now I cannot recall...

...Got it, a Shim Shell Coin!

[scanman]

Thanks Jason, who would of thought that.

[jcuve]

I believe the coins have specific functions where you use a magnet to perform tricks, hence the steel inside. I think if you google Shim Shell coin you'll find some info on them. Don't ask why I know this, as I cannot recall how it came to be LOL.

[DWK]

Jason: As usual, you are a veritable "fount of fandastic factoids."

DWK

[horrorconcepts]

It sounds like a magic trick that I have had. What it was used to hide a dime underneath and look like it was just a penny laying there. Then while they watch you carefully tap it with a magnetic pen that came with the set and it lift's the penny and leaves the dime. If done right it looks like your tap of the pen transformed the penny into a dime. A cool illusion I think.