Copper Creek in New Jersey

[journeyoftheanimals]

Anyone here from New Jersey? Was looking at the prices of coins and saw this and just figured I would share it. For the fun of it I would go search this creek, but living in Minnesota I think I have too far to go.



An unofficial variety of the wartime coin dated 1944 was made in 1954 when counterfeit nickels were produced by Francis LeRoy Henning of Erial, New Jersey. He had previously been arrested for counterfeiting $5 bills. The 1944 nickels were quickly spotted since Henning neglected to add the large mintmark. He also made counterfeit nickels dated 1939, 1946, 1947 and 1953. It is estimated that more than 100,000 of Henning's nickels reached circulation. These can still be found in pocket change, and there is a thriving collectors' market for them, although owning a counterfeit is technically illegal. Henning dumped another 200,000 nickels in Copper Creek, New Jersey, of which only 14,000 were recovered. Another 200,000 are thought to have been dumped in the Schuylkill River. When caught, Henning was sentenced to 3 years in jail, and had to pay a $5,000 fine.

[pris]

Wow, what a great story! Who would think to counterfeit a nickel now a days. Interesting.

[gordiesgirl]

It would be cool to have one just for the history. Thanks for sharing.