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 Replies: 20 / Views: 1,528 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74454 Posts |
I found this from going through 5.00 worth of customer wrapped rolls. I think this was brass plated. Note the brassy color? I don't think it was altered with or toned either. From searching the forum, I found this thread. https://goccf.com/t/383311 https://goccf.com/t/383311#3283810From Ken Potter. Quote:
"It is not uncommon to find a Zinc cent that has been Brass plated instead of plated with Copper. This can happen when Zinc planchets get left behind in the plating tank and dissolve to combine with the Copper which becomes Brass. Then this solution gets plated onto the next round of Zinc planchets." Here's the letter from the Department of Treasury to Ken Potter. Quote:
"JUNE 27, 1985
Dear Mr. Potter:
This is in response to your letter dated June 17, 1985 in which you enclosed three 1985 Denver one cent coins.
The difference in color is due to the amount of zinc in the copper plate. In a proper plated cent there would be no zinc in the outer layer. However it is NOT a rarity to find zinc present.
In the plating process it is NOT uncommon for several zinc blanks to be retained in the plating tanks. After a period of time the blanks begin dissolving and contaminate the plating solution. Thus a brass plate rather than a copper plate is formed on the subsequent blanks to be plated.
It is possible to
The coloration in this case is due to the INFUSION of zinc into the copper layer. However, since laboratory tests have shown a sharp boundary between layers this explanation has been disregarded.
Your coins are being returned to you with this letter."
So, it's not the zinc leeching to the copper plating, but left behind zinc planchets dissolving into the copper plating solution, contaminating the copper plating.
As far as brass goes:
"Brass is mainly an alloy that consists of copper with zinc added. Brasses can have varying amounts of zinc or other elements added. These varying mixtures produce a wide range of properties and variation in color. Increased amounts of zinc provide the material with improved strength and ductility. Brass can range in color from red to yellow depending on the amount of zinc added to the alloy."    Errers and Varietys.
Edited by Errers and Varietys
06/18/2025 6:53 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
Ohh I wasn't aware of this, I have found few like that but didn't pay attention to them, I thought it was just toning. Nice find!  gigi2110
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
74454 Posts |
Thank you, gigi2110. I'm thinking it's a brass plating error, since it's brassy and yellow in color. The coin is in great shape too, so I don't think it was altered post mint. I can also see mint luster as well.
Errers and Varietys.
Edited by Errers and Varietys
06/17/2025 8:22 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
Quote:
I can also see mint luster as well. Right, I can see the luster too. I learned something new today thanks to you!  gigi2110
Edited by gigi2110
06/17/2025 9:06 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74454 Posts |
Quote: I learned something new today thanks to you! Awesome! I'm glad you learned something new today. Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
@E&V, I know they said 83, 85, 97 and 98 in the link you shared, but could this also be Brass Plating too? I found this coin when I started my hobby, I didn't pay attention to the color, I keep it because of the die chip under the R of Liberty, but I was looking through old pictures I took and found it.   gigi2110
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Moderator
 United States
96597 Posts |
very nice E&V! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74454 Posts |
Thank you, Dearborn. Gigi2110, I'm thinking that your coin is just showing toning. Note how some areas are different colors than other areas? Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
Quote:
Note how some areas are different colors than other areas? Ohh, I see. Thank you E&V! Sorry for upload those pics on your thread. gigi2110
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74454 Posts |
No problem, gigi2110. Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
Thank you!  gigi2110
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Moderator
United States
188770 Posts |
Nice find! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74454 Posts |
Thank you, jbuck. Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5780 Posts |
Thanks for the thread E&V. Interesting information and thanks for sharing it.
Words of encouragement are one of the major food groups.
We need to consume them regularly to thrive and grow.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74454 Posts |
Errers and Varietys.
Edited by Errers and Varietys
06/18/2025 9:32 pm
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Replies: 20 / Views: 1,528 |
Posted 06/17/2025 7:40 pm
