The 2017-P Lincoln Cent Authentication Crisis: Separating Rare Finds from Clever Fakes

Counterfeit Crisis: Protecting Your 2017-P Lincoln Shield Cent

As collectors hunt for the elusive 2017-P Lincoln Shield Cent commemorating the U.S. Mint’s 225th anniversary, counterfeiters have turned this celebration into a minefield. Let me be blunt: authentication isn’t just smart collecting – it’s what separates true stewards of history from victims of deception. When forum members recently debated that controversial 99.1% copper planchet specimen, even veteran numismatists had to double-check their references. This is precisely why understanding your coin’s numismatic value requires more than enthusiasm – it demands forensic-level scrutiny.

Why This Lincoln Cent Commands Collector Attention

What makes the 2017 Philadelphia issue so special? This one-year-only commemorative broke tradition by placing the “P” mint mark below the date – something unseen since the 1940s steel cents. While officially struck on standard copper-plated zinc planchets, the persistent rumors of bronze errors give this coin extraordinary collectibility. Imagine holding a coin that accidentally revisited the classic 95% copper composition abandoned in 1982 – that’s the siren song driving collectors to examine every example with jeweler’s precision.

The Weight Test: Your First Defense Against Fakes

Official Benchmarks

• True weight: 2.50 grams (±0.10 grams tolerance)
• Layered construction: 97.5% zinc core with whisper-thin 2.5% copper plating

When that forum-discovered specimen tipped the scales at 3.11 grams – matching classic bronze weight – collectors’ hearts raced. As authentication guru Mike Diamond observed, three possibilities emerged:

1. A miraculous bronze planchet error (the “holy grail” scenario)
2. An unusually thick copper plating job
3. A devilishly clever counterfeit playing on our love for rare varieties

From My Toolbox: Never trust kitchen scales! Use a 0.01-gram precision scale – that extra decimal point could mean the difference between a treasure and a tragedy.

Magnetism: The Silent Guardian of Authenticity

Here’s where physics becomes your ally. Genuine 2017-P cents should shun magnets like cats avoid water, thanks to their non-ferrous zinc core. But counterfeiters sometimes get greedy:

• Grab a neodymium magnet – regular fridge magnets lack sensitivity
• Watch for the slightest “dance” as you hold the coin 1mm above
• Peek at the edge for telltale silver zinc under artificial patina

That heavyweight 3.11g specimen? It passed the magnet test cleanly, making its bronze composition claim more plausible – and more tantalizing for specialists.

Devil in the Details: Die Diagnostics That Don’t Lie

Genuine Article Hallmarks

• Shield Integrity: Four crisp vertical lines connecting base to arch without fading
• Mint Mark Perfection: The “P” sits snug at 5 o’clock like a faithful sentinel
• Lincoln’s Character: Three clean beard striations below the lip – no smudging allowed

Faker’s Telltale Mistakes

• Mushy shield details that look tired rather than sharply struck
• A “P” that’s too plump or skinny compared to PCGS reference images
• Phony toning attempts that resemble chemical spills rather than natural patina

Fakes We’re Battling Today

After examining NGC and PCGS submission data, these wolves in sheep’s clothing appear most frequently:

The Authentication Dance: From Pocket to Lab

Three Acts of Verification

1. Opening Scene: Weight, magnetism, and loupe inspection under good light
2. Plot Thickens: Specific gravity test and UV light for hidden repairs
3. Climax: XRF analysis and side-by-side die comparisons with genuine specimens

The forum’s mysterious 3.11g cent earned PCGS certification (#55992270) confirming its 99.1% copper heart. As Mike Diamond quipped, “We’re either looking at a mint employee’s pocket souvenir or a counterfeiter with a chemistry degree.” This ambiguity is precisely why third-party grading preserves both our collections and sanity.

Cautionary Tales From the Bourse Floor

Let me share a story that haunts my coin show memories:

“A collector shoved a bicentennial quarter at me, eyes blazing. ‘Grade this – it’s 0.15g heavy! I know what I’ve got!’ When we explained environmental factors cause weight shifts, he stormed off muttering about ‘YouTube experts.’ That quarter had less chance of being special than a 1975 dime.”

This obsession with weight variations reveals how confirmation bias clouds judgment – and why eye appeal and provenance matter as much as pure metrics.

Final Thoughts: Passion Guided by Prudence

While no 2017-P cent will dethrone the 1909-S VDB in value, its authentication journey teaches us beautiful lessons in numismatic detective work. With certified bronze errors commanding $2,500+ in mint condition, the stakes justify every precaution. In this golden age of fakes, arm yourself with three weapons: a precision scale that doesn’t lie, magnets that reveal secrets, and relationships with grading services that protect your passion. Remember – collectors preserve history, but only authenticated coins become history.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• The 2017-P Lincoln Cent Error Hunter’s Field Guide: Decoding Die Varieties & Rarity Markers – Most collectors walk past hidden treasures every day, but for those who study Lincoln cents with a numismatist’s e…
• The 2017-P Lincoln Cent: A Numismatic Anomaly Born from America’s 225th Mint Anniversary – The Artifact in Context: A Nation’s Numismatic Legacy Every coin tells two stories: one of the hands it passed thr…
• The 2017P Lincoln Cent Anomaly: A Modern Rarity Driving Collector Frenzy – Looking Beyond the Book Value: The 2017P Lincoln Cent That Shook the Collecting World Forget price guides – the re…