Hello coinpeople,

I have a couple of 1940 50 Centesimi coins from Italy. I know that there is supposed to be a magnetic version and a non-magnetic version. One of my coins is HIGHLY magnetic, the other barely can be picked up by the magnet. Is the non-magnetic version completely non-magnetic, or is my slightly magnetic coin an example of the non-magnetic variety?

Hoping that someone who has both can clarify the situation for me,

Bruce

All Nickel coins are less or more magnetic. Magnetic is made of steel, so called non magnetic of nickel

First of all, I'm a little surprised that only one person "dared" to throw his/her theory out there. Thanks to the one person who responded.

That stated, I'm not sure this response addresses what I am seeing in the Krause-Mischler catalog. This coin (KM# 76) was made of nickel in 1936-38. After that the catalog lists KM# 76a and 76b. They both list a composition of stainless steel. Since KM# 76b (1939-43) indicates "Magnetic", one is left to assume that KM# 76a (1939-40) is the non-magnetic version. This again leaves me with the question--does anybody have an example of KM# 76a? If yes, is it completely non-magnetic, or is it weakly magnetic?

I would really appreciate a little help here....

Bruce

Let's see what my Schön catalog (German) says about this ...

50 Centesimi 1939-1943
a. (St austenitisch) 1939-1940
b. (St ferritisch) 1939-1943

According to the explanation in the catalog, the "a" type was made using planchets with varying nickel content in the alloy ("Niox") and is thus weakly magnetic (to a varying extent). The "b" type is made from chrome steel without nickel ("Acmonital") which is strongly magnetic.

Basically the same as what DawsonsLV wrote: None of the two types is absolutely "non-magnetic", it seems.

Christian

Thank you, Christian. What you have shared has help me decide which coins are the different types.

Bruce