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 Replies: 18 / Views: 4,009 |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Looks like it could have gotten too light a plating.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1659 Posts |
I'm thinking that's a possibility.
It's got me stumped. I would hate to dismiss it just yet and have it turn out to be a legit error.
Any other ideas out there?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2740 Posts |
It could be a cent struck on a partly plated planchet. However, these errors usually show an abrupt boundary between the copper and zinc areas. If the boundary is soft, it's usually marked by a transitional zone that has a black color. Still, these sorts of errors are highly variable in appearance, so I can't rule out this diagnosis. A close inspection under a microscope would be necessary to establish the authenticity of this error.
One troubling sign is that a copper-colored D-mintmark sits within the zinc-colored zone. Since the strike comes last, you'd expect the D-mintmark also to be fully zinc-colored.
Error coin writer and researcher.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
548 Posts |
It looks like someone dropped some acid on it: vinegar, lemon juice, heck, even muriatic. Who knows?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1659 Posts |
Thanks for the input! Quote:
A close inspection under a microscope would be necessary to establish the authenticity of this error. Do you do microscopic inspections? If not, do you have any recommendations on who to send it to? Also, is it worth investigating further? In other words, I don't really want to spend $40 on postage, fees, etc. on a coin that is worth $10 if authentic. I have no idea what it could be worth if authentic, I just used these numbers for example. Thanks again!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2740 Posts |
I can inspect it, if you like. I charge a modest fee of $5 per coin, although I sometimes waive it if a coin is of particular interest to me. If you're interested in sending it to me, contact me at mdia1@aol.com. -- Mike
Error coin writer and researcher.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2740 Posts |
I've studied the coin closely under a microscope and have concluded that it's a genuine, and rather unusual, example of a cent struck on a partly plated planchet.
The zinc has oxidized but lacks the tiny bumps one associates on a cent whose copper plating has been chemically stripped. In some areas the zinc retains the original streaks of the unstruck, unplated planchet.
The copper plating is quite thin. The plating has split around almost all the peripheral design elements. This explains why the D-mintmark and certain peripheral letters have copper on their upper surface but are surrounded by exposed zinc. The zinc that was exposed around each letter during the strike merged with the larger zone of exposed zinc right next to it.
Error coin writer and researcher.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5646 Posts |
Leave it to an expert!! Congrats..
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3185 Posts |
Very cool  Good eyes on that find cwb8539  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
That't neat!
What does a coin like this usually gor for Mike?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2740 Posts |
Maybe 30 bucks on a good day. However, prices on ebay tend to be highly variable. Sometimes they sell as low as $8 and other times over $30. Error coin writer and researcher.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
Cool Find! I emailed you.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
Nice good to hear you got it figured out.
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Valued Member
United States
87 Posts |
Nice job sticking with your gut instinct and not throwing it out. I remember thinking it was PMD. Cool coin, I learned something new. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1659 Posts |
Just saw the good news!  Thanks for your help Mike! |
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Replies: 18 / Views: 4,009 |
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Posted 12/04/2011 10:40 pm
