Comments on: A Counterfeit Penny Made of Gold

By: Sid Morrison

Sid Morrison — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:19:26 +0000

The “artist” sounds like a moron to me. He even went through the trouble of copper plating it so it more closely resembled a real penny? Why? With $1000 and time to burn, this guy must have been operating on National Endowment for the Arts funds.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:27:07 +0000

This guy seems to have completely missed the point of counterfeiting money. You are supposed to use a cheaper metal than the coin is worth.

By: Porkbind

Porkbind — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:03:43 +0000

Allen T Garvin,
I only noticed this once, and I didn’t check the dates, but I had a pile of wheat pennies at the end of the cycle. I tried to run them through more than once,only to be rejected again. They were the only coins to be turned down. I don’t have any explanation.

By: Neil

Neil — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:39:18 +0000

The first time I met Jack Daws I drunkenly told him my idea for truly executing the point of that evening’s theme. Two weeks later, a friend we have in common mentioned Jack’s excellent idea -my idea. I emailed him and asked him to do me the courtesy of not ripping off my idea. He agreed.

A year or two later, I saw my vision showcased in a magazine, perfectly executed, exactly as I described it to him at that show opening.

The gold penny project is conceptual perfection; I wonder who thought of it.

By: Allen T Garvin

Allen T Garvin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:50:57 +0000

Coinstars reject wheat pennies? Wheat pennies are the same weight, dimensions and metallic composition as Lincoln memorial pennies that date from 1959 to 1982 (post ’82s are majority zinc). While I’ve never used a coinstar branded machine, the ones in my bank have no trouble accepting copper pennies, a large number of which remain in circulation.

By the way, the best way to find silver coins is to request half-dollars from your bank. In the early 90s, before I had direct deposit, I used to do this everytime I’d drop by to deposit my paycheck. It was pretty common to get one or two 40% silver halves every time I’d request $20 in halves. Also, halves are fun to spend. Unfortunately, they’re no longer minting them for circulation (as of 2002), and many banks no longer carry them.

By: Porkbind

Porkbind — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:10:37 +0000

pwscott,
I’ve also noticed that coinstar machines reject wheat pennies.

By: Gail Pink

Gail Pink — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:08:15 +0000

I love this story!

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:59:58 +0000

I forgot to add–when I was younger and collecting for my paper route, I noticed a funny looking quarter that had a recent mint date–1954 or such. It felt heavier than a typical quaret so for some reaason I decided to bite it. It was lead ! Someone had gone to the trouble to cast a lead quarter. Maybe it was lead poisoning that made me so goofy ?

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:57:27 +0000

Amazing that it wasn’t simply lost or discarded. I’ll pick up pennies I find on the floor or pavement and usually put them into a charity can/jar.

By: Crazyhorse

Crazyhorse — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:07:59 +0000

Unbelievable! It was awesome! I like this article! I did not expect that the source will see it again for just after more than 2 years!

By: pwscott

pwscott — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:48:07 +0000

This is why I check my coinage and always put my change away when I come home. I find lots of old silver coins this way. As a side note some vending machines will reject silver quarters.