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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,143 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
I found this roll searching today and can't decide what to call it. It weighs 2.54 grams, just right for a zinc core but I have never seen zinc with this surface luster(at least if the copper has been chemically stripped away). So is this a core that never got the copper coating and then got struck in its raw form? Does that make it an error?   |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1943 Posts |
I have a chemically altered unplated cent and an authenticated unplated cent. The big difference I see in the two is the authenticated cent has luster where the altered one doesn't. IMO your coin is possibly an authentic one because of the luster. Just look closely at the coin to be sure it is not plated and/or buffed. Plating can have luster also. Then I would take the coin to a major show where the TPG's will give free opinions and see what they say. Good luck! |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1450 Posts |
Thanks Pyrbob. I scratched it on the edge and it appears to be consistent with no copper underneath. I believe it is an authentic unplated planchet for the reasons you stated. The luster on the coin is almost a matte rather than shiny luster. Eveything seems to be consistent.
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Valued Member
United States
327 Posts |
That's just too weird, but very cool. I'd say that's a major error that's probably worth a good chunk of change.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4541 Posts |
i think it would be cool to be in an album with those red memorials
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
I would say it is plated. it looks too shinny to be zinc. at 14 years old the zinc would be black by now with little to no shine at all.put it on a scale and weigh it but don't scratch it
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
As stated in my original post, it weighs 2.54 grams. I scratched the edge and could see no copper underneath. I agree that you would expect it to be black by now, but it may have been in a protected environment for all of that time. I always start assessing my finds with the idea it is not what I think it is(meaning, something rare, unusual, valuable etc.)and test all the angles I know to find what it REALLY is. All of the "plating" signs I just can't find on this coin. If anyone knows of another way to test it, PLEASE,let me know. I would be very happy if it is an authentic unplated planchet but I won't be devastated if it is not. I just want to be sure.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4541 Posts |
i dont think its plated. If the weight matches out it cant be plated can it? I mean I am sure there would be a way to strip the copper then plate it but if you know how to strip the copper why plate it. I think what you have is the real thing
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1807 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4541 Posts |
good info rockdude. Says a true unplated sent will have mint luster
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
Thanks Rockdude, mine looks like a winner in light of that info. I may send it off to be authenticated and slabbed. Any idea on ballpark value on something like this?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I have one that just simply sat on my desk for about a year and there are only a couple small flakes of copper coating on it now and it looks lusterous and just like it was minted that way but I know for a fact it had its copper coating when it was laid there
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,143 |
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Posted 07/16/2009 04:10 am
