trick coin

mojaveblue · Advanced Member

First, I don't condone this type of thing. But the worksmanship seems pretty good. Of course it is easy to debunk, and no numismatist would look at it twice.
But just thought to post some images here. I am not a machinist, but what is stiking to me is there is no visible damage to the copper/zinc shell that should have happened during the maching process.
It's not something I think I would spend several hours or more creating and then just put into circulation, it was returned in pocket change at a local Target market.
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eagames · Expert Member

CoinboyJay · Member

Hi
A machinest with a mill or lathe could do this in about 10 minutes. In fact the "gap" where the dime fits in to the cent is VERY wide and a good machinest would do a much better job! I'm surprised we don't see more of it. No use in wasting their time, I guess.

Cheers,
JAY

mojaveblue · Advanced Member

HAHA, yeah Im not a machinist, I couldn't imagine doing it without screwing up the copper.
But I see, they are actually made as a magic gimick, ok.
Although, its funny, the cashier counted it as a penny, and I think I could get the dime out of it, so I made 9 cents.

Phil

eagames · Expert Member

Found this one in a roll. It had what looked like a blank side but when I poked at it what fell out was a reverse.

Since then I found a few others so depending on how you put them together you can make 2 headed, 2 tailed, wheat on one side and memorial on the other or stuff a dime in them etc...

You can see the machining lines from how they cut it:

mojaveblue · Advanced Member

Isn't it some sort of federal law not to deface US coinage, I think I copied a regulation against melting or smelting coinage at least?

smed · Senior Member

To the best of my knowledge, it is only illegal to melt down cents and nickels.

Defacing US coins/currency is illegal if the intent is to defraud. In other words, it's not illegal to write your name on a dollar bill or cut a quarter in half. It *is* illegal to try to pass the dollar bill or quarter halves off as errors.

But... good luck in getting someone arrested, much less convicted. They're too busy paying attention to terrorism to pay attention to small-time fraud. I tried to turn my Henning nickel in to the Secret Service a number of years ago -- they weren't the least bit interested.

mojaveblue · Advanced Member

Is that the war nickel without the "P" ?

coppercoins · Site Admin

If I had found this I would not spend it. It's a nice curiosity and if all else fails they do sell for a couple of dollars.

ken · Senior Member

I agree,nice conversation piece.Nice catch Exclamation

smed · Senior Member

eagames · Expert Member

The last mint reaction I remember hearing about over modified coins was those "Silver Surfer" quarters. The mint said it was illegal because they put them into circulation with stickers on them LOL...

Silver Surfers:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/18873168/ns/today-entertainment/

coop · Expert Member

Smed : See if this helps?

mojaveblue · Advanced Member

Now I think that is a real catch, even though it isn't "mint made" I have read about them and they have a good deal of notoriety.
I agree Chuck, Ken, I've got it in a 2X2 saved for the kids down the line.

CoinboyJay · Member

I agree,

The attempt by folks to "make" a coin has always intrigued me. The rackateer Nickel probably being the first.
I kept a 1959d Jefferson, I found in circulation, that someone had ground the tail of the 9 off trying to make it look like a '50d, obviously back when the '50d was worth something!

Fun to find..

Cheers,
JAY