1984W Cent

[Morel]

In 1984 there was talk of the West point mint, releasing some Lincoln Cents for the first time with the W for West point on them. (but prior to any release of coinage from West Point for 1984, the Lincoln Cents were destroyed)
In the fall of 1984 the Military unit that I was attached to, hosted a lage number of West Point Cadetts for Military traing. A large number of these Cadetts spent rolls of 1984 Lincoln Cents with a W as the mint mark.
What could a person do with a coin like this, it was not to be released, it has been struck with true dies, within a Us Mint. Would it be subject to being taken by the Secret Service.
I know the the amount that would have been spent would have been a few hundred dollars worth ($300 at most), which would mean around a 30,000 coin release.

Would these coins have any value at all or would be trouble[/list]

[Bob P]

Morel....First of all, WELCOME to the coppercoins.com forum. Nice to have you aboard.

I am not aware of the 1984 W cents, but that gives me something to do some research on. I am aware that the West Point Mint had been used to produce one cent pieces. The following is a quote from the mint. "In the 1970s, a severe shortage of one cent coins caused Treasury officials to look to West Point as an alternative to boost penny production. On August 1, 1974, the Depository began minting Lincoln cents. These coins bore no mintmark, and were therefore indistinguishable from those made at the Philadelphia Mint. "
So...we know they have been used to mint one cent pieces, but I can not understand what the significance of minting one with the 'W' mintmark would have been...especially since they had already done it without the mintmark.
If the coins were given to cadets then in reality, they were released. There are a few cases of coins being out there that were not supposed to be released. Now...whether or not the Secret Service would get involved, I personally wouldn't think so...especially if there is documented proof that some were given to cadets prior to the rest being destroyed. I assume there would be a premium associated with it.
This is a very interesting subject, and I will do more research on it to see if I can find out anything else.

[Morel]

I would think that there would alot of these still around the Military base, and sournding area that they were first spent in 1984.
When the coins where released I had no intrest in coinage, except to pay debet. I had a friend who who pointed out the W mint mark to me, he also cherried 3 rolls in mint state.

[Gabe]

I have never heard of 1984 W lincoln cents. I wonder if anyone has heard atleast rummors about it.

With 30,000 released to circulation, for sure one would have been found. Maybe they were not released? Interesting...