Is a 1982 penny with an outline of Indiana carved into it and IN in the center of the outline actually a coin?

Question

I found a 1982 penny in my change the other day, and it happened to have an outline of Indiana carved into the side with the head, and in the center is the abbreviation "IN". I asked my friend whether this was a coincidence or not, and she told me that this was probably the result of someone's boredom. I'm wondering whether this coin is actually some rare collector's item or whether it's just fake.

Answer 1

It is probably really a real cent. As far back as the 1960's different companies would take cents and engrave an outline of a state on it. They usually did them for all 50 states and sold them as sets and in singles. Of course most of the 1960's cents had Abe smoking a joint, cigarette or a pipe. These items disappeared or were less used in the 1980's. There are even some WW II cents out there with a U then an anchor then a S. They were navy good luck pieces. It was not illegal to do it, the law actually states it is illegal to make a coin into something it is not, to deceive people. To bad the coin could not talk for it may have a grand tale to tell.