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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,069 |
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
Hey all. A friend of mine stumbled across a seemingly silver 1963 Lincoln Cent (Philadelphia Mint). What we "know" (learned) about what this may be. The lacking mint-mark locates it to Philadelphia. It does not seem to be struck on a dime planchet, as the size and stamp is consistent with other Lincoln Cent pieces of that time period. The stamp of the year appears to our untrained eyes to be accurate, with no signs of alteration from the 1943 steel cent, to 1963. The Latin(?) on the back reads accurately to the 1963 coin, E Pluribus unum. http://images.goldbergauctions.com/...t=160&lang=1 This is as close as I could find on the internet, although his coin does not appear to be miss stamped. We plan on taking this to a local shop tomorrow, to see if they know anything about this specific coin, but figured it couldn't hurt to post here. Thank you! Moved to Modern US Variety/Error forum - Sap |
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Moderator
 Australia
16837 Posts |
Hello and welcome.  Your pictures aren't working, but I assume it's a silvery-coloured cent. If it looks like a normal cent in every other respect, and if it weighs exactly the same as a normal cent, then the most probable explanation is that it is a normal cent, that's been painted or plated to look silvery. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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New Member
 United States
10 Posts |
Thank you for the quick reply, moving my thread to it's proper location, and the welcome. If this cent happens to be painted or plated, they did an excellent job, and the finish has lasted. There is not a spot on the cent that looks as if it has worn through the finish, and all the very miniature details still appear to be intact. I have a friend who works at a recycling facility, who can tell me what this cent is made of. Is there anything that I should, or shouldn't be looking for?   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
 Ummm.. I see an absolutely normal coin.... |
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
Even with the different color?  Coin in question is left. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1256 Posts |
I have a 1953 like that. I think it's plated.  |
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
Is there any way to tell whether or not it has been plated?
If it has been, it was done very well.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
A little rub on the outside rim would show a copper color underneath.
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
That's one of the things that has kept us skeptical. It was found in circulation, and doesn't seem to have a coating. I'm kind of leaning towards the idea that someone had removed the copper plating, but I'm not certain that it's even possible with this coin. From what I've read, a 1963 Lincoln Cent was comprised of .95 Copper, and .05 Zinc. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2624 Posts |
Copper plated zinc cents started in 1982.
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
That is what I've found as well, which leads me to believe that what I have didn't have a coating removed as there wasn't one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
573 Posts |
Couldn't you accomplish that same look by rubbing mercury into the surface of the coin?
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
Perhaps, although I can't imagine anyone going through the toxic process to achieve this look, on a Lincoln Cent. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
It's just the color in the photo. If this is copper, it's the most silver copper ever devised.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
If that is the case it must be. 1. Plated or 2. mercury rubbed. Remember in the 1960's we were not as aware of the dangers of mercury. It was still common to "play" with it is science class.
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,069 |
Posted 12/28/2011 11:16 am
