1985 Lincoln Penny Weighs Less Than Zinc - Help ID

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 13 / Views: 1,854
acel New Member United States 2 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 3:50 pm I was counting money at our coffee club this afternoon and came across a weird 1985 Lincoln Penny. What caught my attention was when I dropped it. It almost sounded like a silver dime. When I inspected it, it looked like it might just be a copper coated zinc penny like billions of others but it felt lighter. I know a zinc penny weighs 2.5 gram so, being at work where we have super accurate scales, I measured it. It weighs 2.0 grams. I'll try and send a picture later since we aren't allowed cameras in the plant but I'd thought I'd start with you folks. It's got several worn edges and the copper is not the cleanest. It's not magnetic. Any ideas? Report this Post to the Staff

JimmyD Bedrock of the Community Canada 21643 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 3:58 pm to the CCF We are not going to be able to help you without a clear photo of both sides. It could be damage, it could be an error. No way of telling. Report this Post to the Staff
ijn1944 Bedrock of the Community United States 19226 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 4:03 pm Eager to see pics--full, large and sharp of the obverse and reverse. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 189673 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 4:09 pm to the Community! Uploading Photos Pixlr Desktop Image Optimizer (Tutorial) - Pixlr Mobile Image Optimizer (Tutorial) Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34430 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 4:18 pm Should be interesting to look at. Thx for posting pics when you can @ace and welcome to CCF. "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 Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 97904 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 5:07 pm I await your wonderful pic footage. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 5:44 pm to the CCF! Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 5:58 pm Report this Post to the Staff
merclover Bedrock of the Community United States 10635 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 9:34 pm We look forward to seeing what you have. We are a very visual oriented group! Report this Post to the Staff
acel New Member United States 2 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 10:19 pm Thanks for the welcomes. Here are some pictures. I had to use the wife's iPhone so zooming was difficult. At first glance it looks like a standard zinc plated 1985 but the weight and sound when dropped have me scratching my head. I'm going to see if someone at work can test the slug material to determine its composition. Any comments/questions are welcome. Report this Post to the Staff
Yokozuna Pillar of the Community United States 4618 Posts	Posted 06/15/2022 10:35 pm OUCH! Lots and lots of Zinc Rot. Just Post Mint Damage. PMD ANA ID: 3203813 - CONECA ID: N-5637 Clean a coin that may be worth collecting? Please DON'T! When in doubt, leave it dirty!! Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34430 Posts	Posted 06/16/2022 12:19 am Yes the lower than expected weight is explainable by the amount of missing metal. The copper plating is no longer protecting the zinc core and so you have this deterioration. "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 Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 06/16/2022 04:25 am Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 97904 Posts	Posted 06/16/2022 07:46 am Lots of missing material would explain a lot here. just a cull cull coin that should be put back to work before it disolves into dust. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 13 / Views: 1,854

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Modern Variety and Error Coins

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.46 seconds to rattle this change.