CoinTalk Users Suggest a 4.1-Gram Copper Blank Found Among Wheat Pennies Is Foreign
A CoinTalk forum member asked for help identifying a copper blank found among wheat pennies in the poster's late grandfather's belongings. The poster reported that it weighs 4.1 grams and is slightly larger and thicker than a normal wheat penny. Several replies suggested it is a foreign coin blank. What the piece is has not been determined.
Correction (Oct 13, 2026): We rewrote the headline, summary and body to match the source. We made clear that the content is a forum post and members' opinions, and removed unsupported passages on wartime copper rationing, roller marks, market prices and investment, a claim that PCGS and NGC could not classify the piece, and an incorrect reference to a Reddit discussion. The previous headline was "4.1g Copper Blank Sparks Debate Among Numismatists."
This article summarizes a thread on CoinTalk, a collectors' forum. The date of the posts is not shown in the source. What follows is the poster's own account and other members' opinions, not facts confirmed by a grading service.
What the poster reported
The poster, Dustin Harper, wrote that the copper blank was found in the poster's late grandfather's belongings, among wheat pennies the grandfather had saved.
The poster said it looks like a type 1 blank, weighs 4.1 grams and appears to be copper with a brown patina. According to the poster, the photos show it is slightly larger in diameter than a normal wheat penny and also thicker.
The poster asked for help identifying it to decide whether it is worth sending to a third-party grading service (TPG). The thread title also includes the words "1944" and "rolled thick," but the post does not explain them.
What other members said
- Spark1951 wrote: "It's a foreign blank, imo." - paddyman98 called it a foreign coin blank and added, "I wouldn't call it a real treasure." - Collecting Nut wrote: "I believe it's a foreign coin blank." - J-Man suggested it could be a token blank made for a store, arcade, pizza shop or public transit. - ldhair said a photo of stacked coins makes it look as if it has a fully upset rim, and wrote, "I have seen this posted somewhere else in the past." - Bill in Burl advised not sending it in until the poster had read all the replies, and wrote, "I have no clue except for possibly foreign."
All replies are opinions based on photos. What the piece is has not been determined.
Source: CoinTalk, "4.1 gram 1944 rolled thick type 1 blank? Foreign? Slug? Idk!"
Read next
Weekly Market Intelligence
Weekly rare coin intelligence — auctions, price action, and analysis, delivered via LINE.
Free · Instant · Block anytime