1951 Lincoln Cent Corrosion? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 10 / Views: 1,000
drhscl Valued Member United States 57 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 1:18 pm Found a penny in an obw roll of circulated pennies. Looks corroded, but I wasn't sure what type of corrosion would give a red rust like appearance? I know it doesn't have iron, it isn't attracted to a magnet, so it isn't technically rust. It's 18.95mm in diameter, 1.33mm in thickness, of course I could be off in the location of where I took the measurements,. Weight is 2.838gm. The reverse kind of looks like there is some pattern on the planchet. I didn't know if this was indicative of some specific metallurgical issue. The attached photos aren't great. Unfortunately, I'm not near my coin scope to take better photos. I'm curious if this is weathering, acid, or some issue with the mixing of the metals that resulted in this happening? Report this Post to the Staff

John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 2:05 pm My guess is a once buried coin in acidic soil. John1 Report this Post to the Staff
drhscl Valued Member United States 57 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 2:35 pm Ok. Thank you so much. So ultimately I'm looking at just straight Copper oxide, or cuprous oxide giving it that color? Does the reaction occurring in the soil make it less likely to change further resulting in it's black or green color? This is all very interesting btw. Thank you Report this Post to the Staff
ijn1944 Bedrock of the Community United States 19636 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 3:20 pm Yes, likely spent some time in acidic, moist soil. A chemist/metallurgist may weigh-in on the technical details. Report this Post to the Staff
drhscl Valued Member United States 57 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 4:00 pm Thank you both Report this Post to the Staff
Cujohn Pillar of the Community United States 7174 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 4:11 pm Or maybe it's had an acid bath. Report this Post to the Staff
lcutler Pillar of the Community United States 1677 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 5:26 pm It looks like a lot of the coins I find metal detecting. Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 108290 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 5:45 pm Where is Silvio when we need him? This sure looks like a heavy copper oxidation from residing in a moist environment. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
oddguy Pillar of the Community United States 4136 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 8:21 pm I think it was buried on Mars "the red planet". Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 8:36 pm Buried in Georgia red clay? Report this Post to the Staff
-makecents- Pillar of the Community United States 9021 Posts	Posted 02/20/2023 9:24 pm You need BadThad for this conversation. He's the local chemist, the one who made VERDI-CARE. -makecents- Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 10 / Views: 1,000

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