1985 Penny Is This Silver Plating? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 317
hankp1 Valued Member United States 143 Posts	Posted 01/18/2026 2:56 pm * Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. * 1985 penny weighs 2.54 is it showing signs of silver plating? Report this Post to the Staff

mrwiskers Pillar of the Community United States 1780 Posts	Posted 01/18/2026 4:04 pm ...that's not silver plating ... that's the zinc that the cent is struck from... the copper plating is almost gone ... all cents after 1982 are (were) copper plated zinc ... commonly referred to as "Zincolns" ... ...btw, cents in 1982 were struck in both copper (95%) & copper plated zinc. you can discern between the two by weight ... copper cents weigh 3.11g, & "Zincolns" (as yours) weigh 2.5g ... Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94867 Posts	Posted 01/18/2026 5:47 pm Hard to tell with the glare all over the coin, but yes, if you see silver - it may be the zinc core (or it was plated) 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
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 73721 Posts	Posted 01/18/2026 6:47 pm The copper plating is worn down from circulation, exposing the zinc on the high points. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187702 Posts	Posted 01/19/2026 12:31 pm I agree. Part of Zincoln's Curse. 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
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