At the time of original publication, the article described the following: Although most circulating coins look consistent and show no errors or defects, a few leave the mint with misspellings, off-center strikes, accidental indentations, or other production mistakes. Coins struck on a metal alloy other than the one originally intended are known as off-metal coins. This article explains how these unusual coins can be made and why collectors often find them especially notable.
Unintentional Off-Metal Coins
Off-metal coins frequently, though not in every case, result from an error during mint production. For instance, if blanks of one metal are accidentally mixed in a hopper with blanks intended for another denomination or composition, some incorrect blanks may be struck among the much larger group made from the proper metal. A well-known example is the 1943 Bronze Cent, which was meant to be produced from zinc-coated steel. A small number of remaining bronze blanks entered a hopper containing steel planchets, creating a limited group of rare, valuable off-metal coins.
Intentional Off-Metal Coins
Mints and other producers also make off-metal coins deliberately, and those pieces can be every bit as distinctive and appealing to collectors. Some are created while new alloys are being tested before a mint introduces a different coinage. Others are produced specifically for sale to rare-coin collectors. Determining whether an off-metal coin was intentional or accidental requires knowing the production history of that particular issue.
Value to Collectors
Collectors have especially valued off-metal coins for their unusual nature, historical interest, and frequent rarity. Certain examples are also scarce and valuable. For instance, only about 40 of the 1943 Bronze Cent discussed above were known to exist. At the time of publication, such coins could be worth between $45,000 and $1.7 million, based on condition and minting location. Because of their scarcity and value, people often counterfeited 1943 Lincoln cents. Collectors who believed they owned an authentic 1943 Lincoln penny were advised to submit it to an independent grading service. The original article suggested services such as NGC or PCGS for authentication certification.
When this article was originally published, Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers reported buying and selling a broad range of coins. The article stated that its coins included rare coins including off-metal coins. At publication, readers were invited to request an appointment to assess the value of a collection by calling 404-236-9744.
