What happened to this Wheat Penny?

Chipk · Dec 1, 2017

I was going through some pennies and this one definitely caught my eye!

It’s a 1918 and it looks like it’s been slapped with the ugly stick. HARD! The wheat sheaves appear on both sides. ONE CENT appears on the face of the coin backwards. The imprinting on the back is weak and stridations run across the back of the coin.

I know that people often disfigure coins but this is so odd, I’m at a loss at how some of this would have been done.

And I’m far from an expert of any kinds in regards to coins.

Anybody have a theory, idea, or absolutely know what happened?

It's A Trap! · Dec 1, 2017

Not sure what happened but I bet its worth a lot of money considering how screwed up it is

GKL · Dec 2, 2017

Those straight lines on the reverse side look like they might have came from a vice.

Maybe someone squeezed two pennies together extremely tight in a vice ?

You could try to squeeze two pennies together in a vice to see if it duplicates the same results.

MrNovice · Dec 2, 2017

GKL said:
Maybe someone squeezed two pennies together extremely tight in a vice?

Oh, how cute! 2 pennies were cuddling for warmth, it's cold outside in that dirt don't you know! :lol:

Beyonder123 · Dec 2, 2017

I would take it to a coin shop and have an expert look at it.

amc rulz · Dec 2, 2017

Post mint damage, probably like what GKL said. Or, someone placed another wheat on top of it, and rapped it good once or twice with a hammer.

Mud-puppy · Dec 2, 2017

I'd agree with GKL on this one..Kids used to do things like this for amusement before Gameboy... :laughing:

IDXMonster · Dec 2, 2017

GKL said:
Those straight lines on the reverse side look like they might have came from a vice.

Maybe someone squeezed two pennies together extremely tight in a vice ?

You could try to squeeze two pennies together in a vice to see if it duplicates the same results.

X2. Pretty cool effect though!

pan4au · Dec 2, 2017

Mud-puppy said:
I'd agree with GKL on this one..Kids used to do things like this for amusement before Gameboy...

Yep, there's no telling how many I put on the RR track when I was a kid.
There was also some filed down and used as dimes in vending machines.. so I hear... lol

Big Treble · Dec 2, 2017

GKL said:
Those straight lines on the reverse side look like they might have came from a vice.

Maybe someone squeezed two pennies together extremely tight in a vice ?

You could try to squeeze two pennies together in a vice to see if it duplicates the same results.

Gary, you are like a master sleuth, excellent call with the vise marks,

JWalker3 · Dec 2, 2017

Flattened in a vice. You can see the vice groves on one side.

Chipk · Dec 2, 2017

Interesting.

But in the sake of science I took several wheats to my shop. I put them in my vise and tightened it as hard as possible. Then smacked them on my anvil with the heaviest hammer I own several times. Other than slightly bending the edge of one, I couldn’t reproduce the marks or transfer the impressions. I have no doubt you are right but it’s puzzling to me.

JWalker3 · Dec 2, 2017

Chipk said:
Interesting.

But in the sake of science I took several wheats to my shop. I put them in my vise and tightened it as hard as possible. Then smacked them on my anvil with the heaviest hammer I own several times. Other than slightly bending the edge of one, I couldn’t reproduce the marks or transfer the impressions. I have no doubt you are right but it’s puzzling to me.

How about a press? I have heard of guys putting coins in a press in some shops that work metal products.

Coinshark · Dec 2, 2017

gkl said:
those straight lines on the reverse side look like they might have came from a vice.

Maybe someone squeezed two pennies together extremely tight in a vice ?

You could try to squeeze two pennies together in a vice to see if it duplicates the same results.

☝☝

GKL · Dec 2, 2017

Big Treble said:
Gary, you are like a master sleuth, excellent call with the vise marks,

Thanks, but probably because I used to do goofy stuff like that when I was a kid :lol:

(and sometimes still do :laughing:

)

Chipk said:
Interesting.

But in the sake of science I took several wheats to my shop. I put them in my vise and tightened it as hard as possible. Then smacked them on my anvil with the heaviest hammer I own several times. Other than slightly bending the edge of one, I couldn’t reproduce the marks or transfer the impressions. I have no doubt you are right but it’s puzzling to me.

JWalker3 said:
How about a press? I have heard of guys putting coins in a press in some shops that work metal products.

Jwalker3 has a good point, if a manual vise can't put enough pressure then maybe a hydraulic vise was used ?

I did a search and there are youtube videos of people smashing stuff with a hydraulic press, but since the one side of that penny has vise-like grooves then maybe a hydraulic vise.

CopyTech99 · Dec 2, 2017

A steelie would make a good stamp for something like this.

coherent · Dec 2, 2017

Looks like someone squeezed it next to another coin in a vice.

TabZilla · Dec 2, 2017

Too cool!

Gonna run out to the shop and try that with a couple copper pennies.
I'll post a pic if it works.

And yes Mud.......I don't have a Gameboy. :laughing:

Noah

Pulltabby · Dec 2, 2017

I found one of our Canada cent with the same thing. If find it will post a picture..my guess also a vice. Mine had no vice lines, will see if can find where I put it.

TabZilla · Dec 2, 2017

I couldn't do it with my bench vice and it's pretty stout.
Might need to try a hydraulic press?

What happened to this Wheat Penny?

Chipk

Elite Member

Attachments

It's A Trap!

Senior Member

GKL

MrNovice

Beyonder123

Full Member

amc rulz

Mud-puppy

IDXMonster

Elite Member

pan4au

Elite Member

Big Treble

JWalker3

Chipk

Elite Member

JWalker3

Coinshark

Elite Member

GKL

CopyTech99

Elite Member

coherent

Full Member

TabZilla

Pulltabby

TabZilla

Similar threads