New Member, Odd Coin Found

Hello and welcome.

There were no silver 2p coins intentionally struck in 1997. But there are several possibi8lities to explain a coin that is silver-coloured when it is supposed to be coppery.

The commonest explanation is that someone has plated or painted it. They may have done so in an effort to make the coin appear higher-value than it was - a plated 2p might pass as an old-sized 10p coin, for example. This isn't a likely explanation for a 1997-dated coin, though, because old-size 10p coins had been withdrawn by then. Or it may have been plated for other reasons. I own a "silver" Australian 2 cent piece. It is actually zinc-plated. I know this becasue my father made it as part of a chemistry demonstration. An electroplated coin (like mine) usually has a small unplated spot, somewhere on the rim or edge; this is where the wire was attached and later broken off again. So look for any breaks or holes in the silver colouring where copper is showing through.

British "copper" coins of 1997 were actually made of plated steel. It could simply be that some kind of chemical reaction has stripped away the thin copper plating, leaving the steel core. Something mildly acidic like lemon juice, cola or vinegar ought to do it. If so, it should look pitted from the acid, and perhaps rusty in places as the steel rusts easily once the plating is removed.

Finally, it is remotely possible that the coin is a "wrong planchet" error - the coin was accidentally struck on a blank piece of metal intended for a different coin (either British or foreign). An easy way to tell this is to weigh it - it is virtually impossible that a wrong planchet just happens to weigh exactly the same as a normal 2p coin. So I would suggest weighing it, preferably on a balance that is accurate to at least 2 decimal places (0.01 grams).

May I add to this...

I have a silver 2 pence from 2001. It was in a £1 bag of 2 pence change picked up from post office.

I will post pics....

The coin has corroded somewhat.. How can I clean this up?

Since it's attracted to a magnet, it means it's either made of a nickel or an iron alloy (technically, at room temperature it could also be made of cobalt, gadolinium [albeit highly toxic], gallium manganese arsenide [albeit a very new and expensive alloy], or any other of less-than-easily-available ferromagnetic alloys not containing iron, nickel, cobalt, or gadolinium).

Since in 1997, 2 pence coins were made of copper-plated steel, the best explanations I can think of are four: 1) plated in zinc, silver, or another grey metal (it could even be mercury); 2) the copper plating has been removed (but that should leave the coin's surface etched and easily to distinguish upon close inspection; 3) struck on a wrong planchet; 4) struck on a proper planchet, but lacking the copper plating (similar to US zinc Lincoln cents missing their copper plating)

Weighing the coin is necessary here. If it weighs more than a 1997 two pence should weigh, and is relatively the same thickness, it has been plated. If it weighs the same as another denomination (foreign or domestic, "It is logical that a greater number of steel 1944 Philadelphia cents are known than from the two branch mints, since the Philadelphia Mint struck 25 million Belgium two francs on the same zinc-coated steel alloy planchet type used for the 1943 cents") should weigh ( and also should be lacking some part of the design, even if its small), it was struck on a wrong planchet. If it weighs less than it should, but doesn't match up to any known denomination produced (foreign or domestic) at The Royal Mint in 1997, and doesn't show any signs under magnification of the plating being removed, it is missing it's copper plating and is a mint error.

To answer your previous question, the corrosion, I wouldn't clean it if I were you. If it is a true mint error, than just take the steps to preserve the coin now (2x2, airtight, etc.) rather than damage the coin by cleaning it (if it's rust, there's no way I know of to safely remove it without doing damage in the process)

That does look like rust, so I'm leaning towards the planchet lacking the copper plating.

However, a scale, yes...you will need a good one that measures down to tenths (and maybe even hundredths, doesn't hurt) of a gram. A jeweler's scale should work, but there might be other cheaper alternatives out there.

2x2's are sold here in America by Hobby Lobby I know, although they are cheaper types, you can always try local craft stores. I'm not sure where Wizard Coin Supply can ship, but you can always buy from them.
2x2's: http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/pro...s/2x2-flips/
Coin Capsules: http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/pro...in-capsules/ (Airtights I think are the best, Kointains I believe are used by the Smithsonian and other museums)
Scales: http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/products/scales/

Wrapped up in tissue isn't the best way to preserve it, no. There are acids in tissues that can and will tone the coin over time. However, in the interim it's not bad since it's at least keeping air from further corroding the coin, or at least massively reducing it.

Just post the coin to The Royal Mint.

They wont give a value although will inform you if its genuine.
Alternatively were abouts do you live ?.