1942 EXPERIMENTAL GLASS CENT SOLD

The only known surviving intact experimental all-glass penny, manufactured in 1942 as a possible alternative to copper that was urgently needed during World War II, sold for $70,500 in a public auction conducted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and online by Dallas, Texas-based Heritage Auctions on Friday, January 6, 2017.

A war between a phone bidder and a floor bidder pushed the cent’s selling price to more than double its $30,000 expected value. The rare penny finally was won by an American collector bidding on the phone.

“This one-of-a-kind cent is a part of U.S. history,” said Mark Borckardt, Senior Numismatist at Heritage Auctions. “Collectors love to own unusual specimens, and although glass failed as a substitute for U.S. coinage, this piece represents a unique artifact of the ingenuity and determination of U.S. Mint officials and private industry.”

Made of tempered, yellow-amber transparent glass by the Blue Ridge Glass Company of Kingsport, Tennessee, the example offered in the auction is the only surviving example of two known to exist. The other example is broken in half.

After considering various alternatives, such as glass, plastic and even rubber, the U.S. Mint eventually struck cents made of zinc-coated steel in 1943. By the time the glass cent tests were completed in December 1942, it was too late for the U.S. Mint to consider glass coins as a viable replacement for the penny.

To read the complete article, see:
Experimental ‘Glass Penny’ From WWII Auctioned Off As One-Of-A-Kind (http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/01/05/experimental-glass-penny-from-wwii-auctioned-off-as-one-of-a-kind/)

To read the complete article, see:
Rare glass penny up for auction at Fort Lauderdale coin convention (www.local10.com/news/local/fort-lauderdale/rare-glass-penny-up-for-auction-at-fort-lauderdale-coin-convention)

A rare experimental glass penny made during World War II has netted a pretty penny at auction — selling for $70,500.

Heritage Auctions announced Friday that the penny was sold during Thursday's auction based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to an American buyer who wishes to remain anonymous.

During the war, copper was needed for ammunition. The U.S. Mint authorized tests that included making uncirculated pennies from other metals, plastic and rubber. The Blue Ridge Glass Co. in Tennessee made experimental pennies using tempered glass.

The penny's former owner, Roger Burdette, says the coins' impressions weren't precise, their weight and size weren't uniform and they developed sharp edges. He says they were likely destroyed.

The penny is likely unique since Burdette says only one other glass penny exists and it is broken.

The Mint made 1943 pennies from low-grade steel covered in zinc.

To read the complete article, see:
Rare glass penny from World War II sells for $70k (www.sanluisobispo.com/news/business/article124915404.html)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
1942 EXPERIMENTAL CENT OFFERED (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v19n24a19.html)
1942 GLASS EXPERIMENTAL DISCOVERED (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v19n42a10.html)

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