Concern For The Long Run Future Of Our Zincoln Collections.

Because of the stresses placed upon the devices when stamped, the metal at their base(field is very thinned and sometimes microscoptically broken. Even the best airtight methaod won't help talking 200 years. I wonder if the underlying thought was to have coins disappear from circulation instead of the forced collection of demonetized currency/coin that is surely in the near future. I feel the same with regard to the atrocious outpouring of "ugly" coinage, style and design changes since the turn of this century, hoping this stuff just won't be used in commerce...like the half dollar since 2003.

T_bop gives an excellent suggestion.

I agree that the Zincolns are not long for this world. As noted, the vast majority have problems immediately after issue.

I would go through however many thousands it takes to find examples without zinc spots and a perfect copper coat.

@jbuck




Then I guess there's hope.

But I don't know. I still think high grade coins will be hard to come by.
Any opinions on what does 'PERFECT' long term storage would look like?

And don't store them in rolls. I have approx 3,000 1983's I recently took out of rolls of which I had rolled, in 1983. I found that if one penny had rot, that rot ate into the penny next to it. Out of 3,000, I saved 40 by placing them into 2x2s. My thought is that if the one's I'm keeping have survived and look decent under 5x, they'll probably last.

Now you tell me ! I have 10 BU rolls that I took out of OBW's, removed the paper wrappers and put into plastic tubes . I haven't looked at them since 1983 . They were waxed sealed but I hope I don't have the problem you had .

It's just a shame that the greatest country in the world, with arguably the greatest mint(s) and a tradition of fine, often magnificent, coins has made, apparently largely for political reasons, such a horrible coin with such bad prospects for long-term preservation. It's absurd, and all the worse in that the copper Lincolns were such a beloved and attractive coin.

I don't trust myself to collect/store them. I pretty much have stopped trying to get one of each after 1982 now that I know of zinc rot. I have quite a few though until about 2009 or so, but will not actively be collecting them and don't care if I keep the ones I have.

I especially don't care about the 1983 DDR since it will likely disintegrate on me.

As careful as I have been with storing/handling my coins, the other day I noted a 1967 half in MS condition now has a green spot starting to grow on it. To put this half into storage I handled it with cotton gloves, dipped it into acetone before putting it in a 2X2, and used a squeeze bulb to blow away any dust or dirt that may have been on the 2X2. This was stored in a box with a large, new desiccant pack inside.

Evidently even new 2X2s can sometimes have a contaminant on them.