I Think I Found A Zinc Lincoln Penny Without The Copper Layer.

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 8,183
Roger Chappell New Member United States 46 Posts	Posted 03/02/2017 11:04 pm I found this while coin roll hunting... It is a 1988 Lincoln Penny that looks like it's solid zinc, no copper coating. What do you think? Report this Post to the Staff

Fuzzy317 Moderator United States 14463 Posts	Posted 03/02/2017 11:14 pm A zinc layer would be silver in color, and it would not last if exposed to air. I think its just environmental toning. Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 03/03/2017 12:11 am Royal Mint Two Pence and One Penny coins for later dates were struck in steel, which was then copper plated. It is relatively common to find error coins that do not have copper plating. Report this Post to the Staff
cwb Pillar of the Community United States 3463 Posts	Posted 03/03/2017 02:12 am The Copper layer is missing, but it looks like it has been removed, not missing when it was minted. A mint error missing the Copper layer would show a smooth surface and possibly some mint luster remaining. Zinc doesn't "rot" because it is exposed to the atmosphere. The cause of Zinc rot on Lincoln cents is a reaction between the two metals, Copper & Zinc, when a electrolyte is introduced, like water or moisture from the air. The thin Copper plating can get scratched, broken during the striking process, or even have microscopic holes in it that allow moisture to get in. It was a bad choice of composition for any coin. The 1943 Steel cents are a great example of Zinc exposed to the air, they are composed of a Steel core with a Zinc plating, but they don't rot. Instead, what happens to them is a break in the outer layer of Zinc will allow moisture to get in, causing the Steel core to rust. Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 03/03/2017 03:08 am with cwb. John1 Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 4 / Views: 8,183

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