A World War II Lincoln Cent Error – Off-Metal Mystery in Gem Mint State Discovered
Key Highlights
- New discovery: A 1945 Lincoln cent error struck on an alloy containing 12% silver
- Two leading theories: Experimental wartime test strike or accidental alloy contamination
- Unique metal composition: Does not match any U.S. or foreign planchet used by the Mint
- Gem Mint State example with striking silver-grey color
- Expert research by Roger Burdette, authority on WWII experimental coinage
Photo by Mike Byers – A World War II–Era Off-Metal Mystery in Gem Mint State – Obverse
A remarkable new wartime mint error has surfaced—one that is already generating buzz among error specialists, pattern collectors, and WWII-era researchers. A previously unknown 1945 Lincoln cent struck on a silver-bearing alloy has been confirmed, and its unusual metal composition raises compelling new questions about U.S. Mint activity during the final months of World War II.
The newly discovered cent, preserved in Gem Mint State, immediately stands out. Instead of the typical copper coloration expected for 1945, this piece exhibits a striking grey-silver appearance. Metallurgical analysis revealed a highly unusual alloy of 83% copper, 12% silver, and 5% zinc. Even more surprising is its weight of 3.61 grams, noticeably above the 3.11-gram standard for the period.
A Composition That Should Not Exist
One of the first steps in analyzing the piece was comparing the alloy to known planchets struck by the U.S. Mint for both domestic and foreign coinage. The Mint Error News 69-page reference, widely regarded as the most complete catalog of these materials, shows no matching composition. The alloy is not consistent with any coin the Mint produced for the U.S. or for foreign governments.
That absence opens the door to two highly intriguing possibilities.
Expert Analysis Points to Wartime Alloy Contamination
To understand how such a hybrid planchet could have been created, the coin was evaluated by Roger Burdette, distinguished researcher and author of United States Pattern and Experimental Pieces of WW-II. Burdette’s wartime research is considered the benchmark for identifying off-metal and experimental strikes from this era.
According to Burdette, the most plausible explanation is accidental contamination with War Nickel alloy material. From 1942 to 1945, the Mint produced five-cent coins using a silver-manganese alloy to preserve nickel for the war effort. Although the War Nickel formula does not perfectly match the composition of the discovered cent, Burdette suggests that leftover or scrap silver alloy from nickel production may have been mixed into cent strip, producing the anomalous 12% silver content seen here.
The resulting planchet, heavier, silver-toned, and chemically distinct, would have blended into normal cent production unnoticed, creating the rare off-metal strike now identified.
Could It Be an Experimental Strike?
Another scenario cannot be dismissed: the coin may be a wartime or immediate post-war experimental test strike. [Mike Byers’ web site The Mint Error News has a 69 page report of coins struck by the U.S. Mint for foreign countries. It is the most comprehensive report available anywhere. This 1945 Lincoln Cent Off-Metal does not match any known planchet composition for U.S. or foreign coins.] The Mint was evaluating materials and adjusting supply chains as wartime restrictions eased. Yet even among documented test pieces, no known experimental cent matches this alloy, placing this discovery in a category of its own.
A Significant Addition to Wartime Error Scholarship
With its silver content, unusual weight, and unmatched alloy, this newly discovered 1945 silver-alloy Lincoln cent is already being viewed as one of the most important wartime mint errors identified in recent years. Whether caused by alloy contamination or produced as a late-WWII experimental piece, its existence adds a fascinating new chapter to the study of U.S. Mint operations during the era.
The post Newly Discovered 1945 Lincoln Cent Struck on 12% Silver Alloy Stuns Specialists appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
