how bout this steel beauty?

cnladue · Veteran Member

I bought a penny collection at a yard sale this weekend and found 3 steel beauties.this is the 43s-maybe?

Steven · Expert Member

Again I hope i'm wrong but looks reprocessed.

Steven

cnladue · Veteran Member

oh dear-yikes-they were in a whitman folder along with a bunch more later dates in great shape.what is a reprocessed coin?

eagames · Expert Member

The repro ones are only the 43 steel cents.

They did not wear much since steel is stronger than copper but they rusted and got ugly so people replated them with zinc. It's hard to see since there's not much wear on them. They did it so much there's a never ending supply of replated steel cents.

The clues are that they often look shiny or blue and some have doubling from the new zinc pooling around the date or mintmark and sometimes they get new white spots so it hides that it was done.

The un messed with ones often look more satiny and less shiny... after you see a bunch you can tell. Smile

coop · Expert Member

Machine doubling on the EPU.

KurtS · Senior Member

Don't the fields on unprocessed steelies look flatter? I would also think there's more evidence of die wear/metal flow near the edges of original cents. Confused

JRocco · Veteran Member

Sorry but it does look reprocessed.
Sorry also for these quick pics, but here is an unmessed with 43S

Steven · Expert Member

Just because the 43's are messed with doesn't mean the rest of the coins in the folder are not in good shape. Take each coin on it's own merit.
Steven

JRocco · Veteran Member

Great point Steven.

cnladue · Veteran Member

Thank you for reminding me of that Steven.I am way over being sad or getting my panties in a bunch over silly pennies!I am just enjoying my self so much here in the company of all you great people!I have my desk covered with a bunch of shiney wheats from the late 40s and all the 50s.You can be warned i will be thinking i have something soon.

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Just to throw my two cents in; throw it away, into the ocean or a lake or a pond.

BJ Neff

cnladue · Veteran Member

I have decided on the lake option due to the fact that we are taking our boat and kids to lake Berryeessa tomarrow.

Dick · Expert Member

Well, here is my "non-cents' worth: put them back in a roll of returned zincs. It is still worth a cent. that is what I do with all the old, battered, and self-destructed cents.
Dick

Steven · Expert Member

..........or donate to a young collector just getting started as a filler.

Might put a smile on some kids face.

Steven

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

The only bad thing about keeping it around is that soon or later someone will be asking the same questions about the same coin. The old adage "out of sight, out of mind" fits perfect for this coin.

BJ Neff