Honey Colored Cent

I've always read that as some sort of PMD, likely due to "exposure" to chemical or environmental conditions. Just my 2 Lincolns.

I've got a couple of those. I thought I saw a post a while back saying these were the result of improper planchet treatment or something like that.

There have been some brass? cents found. If the copper plating solution becomes "polluted" with zinc from planchets being immersed too long the chemical change occurs in the plating and they get that brassy yellow look. If you google brass penny or brass cent you will find an article from Ken Potter that explains the process. I called Mr. Potter and talked to him about them because I have like 5 of them and the problem is there are ways post mint that a cent can be made to have the same look. It is difficult to validate their authenticity unless they are in rolls directly from the mint as I understand it. I guess there are some clues that indicate authenticity if you have seen a real one but not many people can tell for sure(actually I don't think in most cases anyone can tell for sure).

Yes, it's quite shiny. I know my scan wasn't the best. The 2008 cent has a BU-type shine to it, and the cent in question has a similar "luster" to it.



I figured that was it. But, did it happen in the mint or is it post mint? (Does it matter?) The "off" coloring is extremely even. Both sides and the edge have the same coloring.

hockingzig, I will look up the article you mention. Thanks for the info.