1995-D Steel Lincoln Cent?

The steel cents were only made in 1943 (and a handful of known errors in 1944).

What you most likely have there is a Lincoln Cent with the copper plating removed revealing the zinc core. If you weigh it it should be about 2.5 grams or just shy of that.

you can you tube how they do it or just let it sit in acetone

Acetone WILL NOT remove copper plating from a Zincoln and if you add a heat source to acetone, you will most likely be paying a visit to the nearest burn unit to get a few skin grafts


To answer the original questions- yes, steel would be magnetic but zinc is not. Most likely explanation is that the copper plating has been removed, either through mechanical or chemical means. There is also the slim possibility that it was a genuine unplated cent error but the zinc is in such bad shape now that there would be no way to ever prove it.

When I said add a heat source I meant like leaving out in the sun in an airtight container so the acetone won't evaporate. I have never done this myself but have heard from others that this will remove the copper. Not sure how much it will remove or how long it would take though.

A TPG would know what this coin is but there is no reason to send this in for grading since it is in such bad shape and as mentioned before it's too far gone to tell if this was missing it's copper plating when struck or if it was removed after minting.

I saw that too but wasn't sure if that was copper or a reflection.

The worlds best attrtibuters live right here at the CCF ... and the consensus is that at 2.5g this is a zincoln that has suffered some unfortunate post-mint-damage.

David