Help identifying this 'unique' Indian Head penny please (I am new here)

First, I am new here.  I appreciate your patience and help.

Second, details:  It is essentially an EXTREMELY pristine 1905 Indian Head penny.  However it is gold, or is gold plated, or has a gold-like finish.  The pictures I took don't do it justice.

I have used 2 different coin ID apps on my phone, and they simply identify it as a normal 1905 Indian Head penny.  But it does NOT have a dull copper-like finish.

As you correctly identified, it is gold plated. A very common and basic science experiment that can be done at home. Unusual that they chose an indian head (unless it was plated near when it was minted).

No extra value, would detract from what it would normally be worth. 

Welcome to Numista.

Probably an electrolysis experiment.

If it looks gold plated then it probably is plated with gold or something that looks like gold. An ID app ignores coloring.

It seems the common theory is that it is gold-plated.

However, the coin is in incredible condition.  Not a flaw to be found.  Would that change anyone's theory?  It's unlikely someone took this coin from a bucket and then did their science experiment!

In my own recent web searches I found this article: https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/1905-1c-cent-struck-on-a-2-1-2-gold-planchet-ms64-pcgs/a/1219-5225.s

This talks about Indian Head pennies struck on gold planchets.  It is very interesting, but still leaves more questions.  At least for me!

Thoughts?

rsirian1

If it looks gold plated then it probably is plated with gold or something that looks like gold. An ID app ignores coloring.

Thanks for that tidbit.  I didn't realize apps disregard color.

stosh013

However, the coin is in incredible condition.  Not a flaw to be found.  Would that change anyone's theory?  It's unlikely someone took this coin from a bucket and then did their science experiment!

Welcome to numista. 

No, the grade is not incredible, just a common coin!

Correct. This coin is NOT in pristine condition.  In fact, it lacks a lot of detail.  For example, I don't see the word "Liberty" in the headdress. I can't see any details in the feathers, and the hair around the neckline looks like it's been completely rubbed down and/or smashed.  And that is just on the obverse side.

Sometimes old coins like these are plated/altered here in the U.S. as part of an attempt to turn them into a piece of jewelry.  That is, this coin could have been designed as a part of someone's necklace or other fashion accessory.  If you have doubts, just go onto an American website like Etsy and do a search for "Vintage Indian Head Cent Coin Pendant Necklace" or something along those lines.

stosh013

It seems the common theory is that it is gold-plated.

 

However, the coin is in incredible condition.  Not a flaw to be found.  Would that change anyone's theory?  It's unlikely someone took this coin from a bucket and then did their science experiment!

 

In my own recent web searches I found this article: https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/1905-1c-cent-struck-on-a-2-1-2-gold-planchet-ms64-pcgs/a/1219-5225.s

 

This talks about Indian Head pennies struck on gold planchets.  It is very interesting, but still leaves more questions.  At least for me!

 

Thoughts?

From this link, Weight: 64.5 grains, the standard weight of a quarter eagle. Exactly five Indian cents are known on gold planchets, according to information available to us. Among them are three dated 1900, this piece dated 1905, and an example dated 1906. 64.5 grains is 4.18 grams.  What does yours weigh?

rsirian1

stosh013

It seems the common theory is that it is gold-plated.

 

However, the coin is in incredible condition.  Not a flaw to be found.  Would that change anyone's theory?  It's unlikely someone took this coin from a bucket and then did their science experiment!

 

In my own recent web searches I found this article: https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/1905-1c-cent-struck-on-a-2-1-2-gold-planchet-ms64-pcgs/a/1219-5225.s

 

This talks about Indian Head pennies struck on gold planchets.  It is very interesting, but still leaves more questions.  At least for me!

 

Thoughts?

From this link, Weight: 64.5 grains, the standard weight of a quarter eagle. Exactly five Indian cents are known on gold planchets, according to information available to us. Among them are three dated 1900, this piece dated 1905, and an example dated 1906. 64.5 grains is 4.18 grams.  What does yours weigh?

I do not have a scale with that precision, so I do not know.  I know a chemist who may have one.

Thanks to those who pointed out that I was way too generous in grading this coin.  The lack of certain specific details shows this.