Have you ever found a steel penny?

[Ed in KC]

I'm just messing around with my detector, and running it over a steel penny, I see it's in the range of items discriminated out--way out. I never dig items in this range, but now I'm wondering if I should if I'm hunting an old setting? Do they hold up after being in the ground a long time, I know they have a zinc coating?

 

[geodawn]

That's a good question! I'd be interested in knowing that same thing.

 

[Carol K]

I have never found one in the ground or in the water.

Do they disintegrate after awhile? In fact, I don't think I've ever found anything made of old steel.

 

[booker]

The ones I have seen are pretty beat up

 

[Treasurekidd]

I would think a steel penny would not last long at all in the ground, especially in wet areas. Once the thin zinc plating wears off, instant rust stain! The ones I've found in a Coinstar machine were in bad shape, and those were never in the ground (probably). I'd love to find one though!

 

[steve in so la]

I dug one many years ago. It was in pretty good shape but we only get about 8 inches of rain a year so it's good storage for them. I'm just over 90,000 coins for my 27 years detecting so you can see how rare they are. steve in soaz

 

[Ed in KC]

I dug one many years ago. It was in pretty good shape but we only get about 8 inches of rain a year so it's good storage for them. I'm just over 90,000 coins for my 27 years detecting so you can see how rare they are. steve in soaz

Thanks, Steve!

 

[bugguy]

the funny thing is my MDing buddy today siad hey i went through the pennies i found from last week and got 3 steel pennies i didnt even know i had gotten . sure enough there was 3 , we think since we find alot in stacks that they were in with some coppers but still to find 3 in maybe 2weeks time is neat . he also found an 1860's nickle in the bunch he thought was a penny he was very surprised .

 

[CyberSage]

The ones I have seen are pretty beat up

Booker! You probably found some wooden nickels too!

Just giv'in ya a hard time...

Keep Swing'in
Jack