1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent / LWC . What Is Under The Zinc Coating?

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 836
Jim0815 Pillar of the Community United States 5239 Posts	Posted 03/06/2018 12:31 pm I was going through some of my Grandfathers coins that I inherited and found this 1943 LWC. This cent weighs 2.74 grams which is in tolerance for a steel cent of that year. Is this natural toning for a steel cent that the zinc is worn on? I know everyone is looking for the real McCoy and I'm sure this is just an intriguing cent. Report this Post to the Staff

coop Bedrock of the Community United States 62064 Posts	Posted 03/06/2018 12:36 pm Probably rust. It might be copper plating if the coin was plated chrome. (three step process. copper/nickel/chrome) But this looks like a very poor re-plate probably with zinc. Sometimes these coins are re-processed and they didn't even remove the rust first. The zinc coating prevents rust on steel. Galvanized nails are what we use on outdoor purposes. (Steel nail with zinc coating to prevent the rust) This coin will stick strong to a magnet. Edited by coop 03/06/2018 12:37 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Jim0815 Pillar of the Community United States 5239 Posts	Posted 03/06/2018 12:41 pm Coop, I seriously thought about setting this in vinegar just to see. I've got a lot of these steel cents while they aren't worth a lot I sure thought about sacrificing this one just to see. Report this Post to the Staff
coop Bedrock of the Community United States 62064 Posts	Posted 03/06/2018 12:46 pm Someone once told be the used bleach. I don't experiment on coins. But said it worked. But I don't think of the way it looks then, I think about what will happen to it for its future usage. Report this Post to the Staff
Crazyb0 Rest in Peace 10197 Posts	Posted 03/06/2018 1:15 pm Jim, if you are serious about removing rust or other gunk on "steelies", go to the auto parts store and get a bottle of parts degreaser/cleaner. This is basically the same stuff that is used commercially when cleaning the steel prior to the replating process. Replating puts another outside coating of zinc/chromium/tin/manganese and is recognized by its extreme reflective quality and the mushiness of details due to the thickness of coating. Edited by Crazyb0 03/06/2018 1:17 pm Report this Post to the Staff
cwb Pillar of the Community United States 3463 Posts	Posted 03/06/2018 1:55 pm Are you sure that is under the Zinc or something on top of it? Report this Post to the Staff
Jim0815 Pillar of the Community United States 5239 Posts	Posted 03/06/2018 2:38 pm For the sake of science, it was rust like coop said it was. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 836

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1943 LWC. What Is Under The Zinc Coating?