1961 penny

[Bob_VT]

A person I work with showed me a 1961 penny that is "steel" colored and NOT magnetic. Okay we are at a loss? Any clues?<br /><br />Bob

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: 1961 penny

I recall hearing during WW2 the US gov minted pennies out of steel to conserve on copper. They had the nick name "Steelies". But a '61 don't know about that. Might try Googling it. Or may be some one plated it. You can nickel plate copper; in fact copper is a common base plating material.

 

[JB]

Re: 1961 penny

The "steelies" were minted in 1943 only. That same year nickles were silver alloy with no nickel in them.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: 1961 penny

Yeah, somebody has probably plated it in something. Pennies are what's handy when someone needs a scrap of copper to test something like that.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1961 penny

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> Pennies are what's handy when someone needs a scrap of copper to test something like that.

Better make sure they are pre-1982. Since 1982 pennies have been copper plated zinc.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: 1961 penny

Many differnet methods to electroplate copper pennies. Zinc is easier than silver. It sounds like that is what happened.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: 1961 penny

Someone has taken mercury out of a thermometer and rubbed it on it. When I was a kid this was a thing we did all the time.<br /> Made the other boys think you had a pocket full of nickles.

 

[Copespitter]

Re: 1961 penny

Setting a penny on a hot wood stove for a couple hours will give it a "steel" appearance.<br />I've done this numerous times and every time they come out looking like a 1943 steel wheat penny.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: 1961 penny

It's a fake 1943 were steel and only several coppers were made they are more valuble most of our homes. 1944 were made from shell casings. The silver nickles 42-45 easy to spot it has a large mint mark above the dome......

 

[4poco]

Re: 1961 penny

sorry double post...........

 

[4poco]

Re: 1961 penny

I have a hand full of these 1943 steel pennys.<br />Really not worth much tho...just different.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1961 penny

Yeah it was probably a "plating test" sure dissappointed the guy at work.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: 1961 penny

I used to work in the chrome/nickel/copper plating room at Starret Tool Co. in Athol, MA.<br />I remember plating pennies with nickel and chrome just goofing around. Also plated a few quarters, nickels and dimes copper. Maybe ya got one of my old ones!!

 

[technostingray]

Re: 1961 penny

The 1961 penny. The subject of much controversy at the time be cause of the small O and Large F. I remember the rumors going around that some had been minted in grey metal. <br />1961 is also the same when read upside down and backwards.<br />The 1943 penny brought about the saying "as worthless as a lead penny."

 

[technostingray]

Re: 1961 penny

Originally posted by telmanmn:<br /> Many differnet methods to electroplate copper pennies. Zinc is easier than silver. It sounds like that is what happened.

Not to mention cheaper.

 

[technostingray]

Re: 1961 penny

Originally posted by JB:<br /> The "steelies" were minted in 1943 only. That same year nickles were silver alloy with no nickel in them.

Were the steelies non Magnetic? I know they wouldn't work in a bubble gum machine.