Masonic Steel Penny - Looking for Help

[packs]

That's the way I found it. It was mixed in with a bag of old nickels and I thought it was a dime at first. It does feel a little lighter than normal.

I also got mixed up about its magnetism. It is NOT magnetic. There were a bunch of other steel pennies mixed in with the collection. I tried sticking it to a magnet again before taking the picture of the back of the coin and it didn't stick. That could also point to an aluminum composition. I don't think aluminum is magnetic.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by packs

That's the way I found it. It was mixed in with a bag of old nickels and I thought it was a dime at first. It does feel a little lighter than normal.

I also got mixed up about its magnetism. It is NOT magnetic. There were a bunch of other steel pennies mixed in with the collection. I tried sticking it to a magnet again before taking the picture of the back of the coin and it didn't stick. That could also point to an aluminum composition. I don't think aluminum is magnetic.

Aluminum isn't magnetic. The aluminum one weights around half a normal one. I think it is 1.7 grams but would have to look it up to make sure. Really interesting coin. Something like that would be worth your time to take it/send it to PCGS or the grader of your choice. Buying a cheap digital grams scale should be first though. Like cards there are also a ton of fake coins out there and always has been. Most get the weight wrong.

[packs]

I guess anything is possible but as I mentioned I found this coin in a bag labeled "old nickels" while clearing out my grandmother's house. It wasn't set aside or anything like that. The rest of the nickels were from the 40s and 50s as well. It could be a fake but if it is I don't think it was intended to trick someone into thinking it was valuable.

Speaking of, if I do have an experimental cent, would that be valuable to someone?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by packs

I guess anything is possible but as I mentioned I found this coin in a bag labeled "old nickels" while clearing out my grandmother's house. It wasn't set aside or anything like that. The rest of the nickels were from the 40s and 50s as well. It could be a fake but if it is I don't think it was intended to trick someone into thinking it was valuable.

In the card world this would be like finding a rookie Mickey Mantle in a 5 cent per card monster box full of beat up junk era commons.

Please let us know what happens when/if you take it to a good coin shop or send it in for grading. It is extremely cool to see for many reasons.

[packs]

I'm in NYC. Maybe I'll try to take it up to Brigandi one day and get their opinion.

Never mind. Looks like they closed. I'll see if I can find another shop.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by packs

I'm in NYC. Maybe I'll try to take it up to Brigandi one day and get their opinion.

Never mind. Looks like they closed. I'll see if I can find another shop.

I can't imagine if real it is under a 6 figure coin. One sold 10 years ago for 200K and one sold around 15 years ago for 125K. Now they didn't have the Mason symbol stamped into them so who knows what that would do to the value. The amount of wear is the main thing that concerns me.

[packs]

Wow. Well that makes it worth looking into. I think I'll take it in to this place tomorrow on my lunch break and see if they have any insight:

https://stacksbowers.com/