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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,168 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
I was searching the net trying to gather some info on a coin I found today and this is one of about 8 places I saw a similar situation, yet I haven't seen anybody post back with any follow-up information. The coin I found today is identical to the one in this post http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...PIC_ID=11057 except that mine is in better condition. The details on my coin are very fine and it just doesn't appear to have been plated or altered. Has anybody figured out what these 1955 "golden" coins really are? The coloring is very close to the Sacagawea dollars...maybe just a slight bit lighter. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I found one of these the other day as well. It appears to have gold plating wearing off the high points.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
549 Posts |
Thanks for the response. The one that I found is a LOT lighter than you one you've posted. It's closer in looks to a steel cent, but it has a lot more yellow in it than the steels.
How can I verify if it's plated or not?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Same with my coin...a very distinctive, bright yellow color. It just didn't photograph well. Does yours look gold or brassy? A plated coin is distinctive because some detail will be lost, if not worn off anywhere. You might have it weighed.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3507 Posts |
These were probably gold plated and then reentered circulation which eventually wore the gold off.
I also see cents like this that were spray painted and the paint wears off.
In any case, it is not a planchet error.
One other thing to toss into the mix is that the edge looks pretty distinct. This may be a proof coin that was removed from a proof set and spent many years ago.
Edited by foundinrolls
12/20/2007 10:26 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
I took a pic of my coin next to both a steel and a normal copper penny. It'll give you an idea of the color. I trust that it was probably coated at some point, but it just doesn't look like it to me (trust me, I'm no expert here!! LOL). The details on the yellow coin appear too fine to have been coated, but I guess it probably was and it was just in very good condition at the time.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Based on that photo, it looks more brassy than golden, but color can really vary due to cameras/lighting. So, under a loupe you don't see any signs of worn plating, particularly on the edges? I suppose the next step would be to weigh it. If it were a different composition, say with more zinc (brass), could we expect a coin lighter than these specs? weight: 3.110 grams, specific gravity: 8.84 I haven't heard of a brass cent pattern for the US, but wouldn't that be cool?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
I'm guessing it was just plated somewhere along the line, but it sure would be nice if it was something else!
My daughter just found another possible error. I'll post it in a new thread though.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3507 Posts |
Two things with the picture ...just so you are aware, the steel cent was also replated. The coloring in the picture indicates that it is what is called a reprocessed cent. Many of these were replated outside the mint to make them saleable again after they began to rust.
The middle coin has all the look of being plated as well. Also after it left the mint.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
Ok, so you're saying from that photo that the steel cent is plated too? I thought I just found a perfect one in the mix! That shows what a novice I am. How can I tell which coins are genuinely nice and which ones have been plated and/or "cleaned?"
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3507 Posts |
The plated ones are very "silverish" in color, a bright grey. The real deal is is a bluish grey and doesn't have a thick look to the lettering and details.
hard to describe, it is easier to see when two coins are side by side.
When I get a chance, (probably after Christmas) I can set two coins one beside the other and take a picture and post it here.
Bill
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,168 |
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Posted 12/19/2007 02:04 am
