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 Replies: 20 / Views: 9,957 |
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Valued Member
United States
54 Posts |
This 1971 S penny is silver in color and weighs 3.07 grams. Any idea what it is made out of or any other insight would be appreciated. Thanks!   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4963 Posts |
I think it was probably plated or colored artificially in some way. The pictures are a bit small, but I think I can see some copper showing through.
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
2895 Posts |
Indeed.
Some idiots like to alter coins.
Des not add anything to the value
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1609 Posts |
Wouldn't plating increase the weight?
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Slight weight increase, but is hard to determine with tolerances so varied! For grins, ifit is slightly magnetic, it could be plated with nickel, although it is dull looking so I suspect a zinc wash was used.   Edited by Crazyb0
04/01/2018 5:27 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
Please ignore. My mistake.
Edited by Kushanshah
04/01/2018 5:44 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4963 Posts |
Quote:
Wouldn't plating increase the weight? As CrazyB0 said, the increase would be very slight, and it was probably a bit underweight to begin with. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
Yes, I realized my error while fiddling with the image. I was researching an unplated zinc cent of my own just a couple of days ago which came immediately to mind, and overlooked the date on the op coin. Not enough coffee :)
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Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Keep looking!  to the CCF! |
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Valued Member
 United States
54 Posts |
Thanks for all the help guys, what a great forum! Here is a side view which I should have included originally. The sides all look original copper in color, as in it doesn't appear to have worn through a coating to reveal copper. The front and back of the coin don't seem to show any copper under or at points of wear, just a silvery color with some darker/wear marks like on Lincoln's shoulder. If it was coated wouldn't the wear and finish be the same on the side wall of the coin as the front and back?  |
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Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
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If it was coated wouldn't the wear and finish be the same on the side wall of the coin as the front and back? One would think. How bout Paint? Try an 100% acetone soak for a few hours to see if the silver colour comes off. Other than that it's strange the edge didn't take the silvery colour. Edited by Mark1959
04/01/2018 6:32 pm
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Moderator
 United States
34393 Posts |
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If it was coated wouldn't the wear and finish be the same on the side wall of the coin as the front and back? Yes potentially, although areas can be masked off from the plating if desired. Also, just a head's up that back in the "old days" one way to make a cent silver-colored was to rub it with Mercury. I'm not saying that this was done to your specific coin, but this early CCF thread talks about this possibility: http://goccf.com/t/96160"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
Heated coin. Zinc has a lower melting point than copper, when heated the zinc will diffuse outward and onto the surface creating this effect.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12811 Posts |
That's pretty cool, BadThad. Does that apply to the copper-plated Zincolns too or do you just have the 2007 in your photo for color comparison? I wouldn't think Zincolns would hold up to heat as well as 95% copper.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
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Heated coin. Zinc has a lower melting point than copper, when heated the zinc will diffuse outward and onto the surface creating this effect. But wouldn't the 1964 penny in your picture be 95% copper? |
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Replies: 20 / Views: 9,957 |
Posted 04/01/2018 5:12 pm
