Is This A Var Or An Error Coin - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,648
jspr New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 03/22/2011 12:34 pm Hi all. I'm new to this and this is my first posting to this community so please forgive me if I don't get it right the first time. I came across a 1985-D Lincoln Cent in my wife's change a couple of weeks ago. It appears to be from the Denver mint but the location of the mint mark is on the bust (5 o'clock) and on the collar (center). It also has a dimple below the 'M' on the reverse. Is there a way to have this authenticated as real and its possible value? Any inputs would be appreciated as well as educational. Thank you all. Report this Post to the Staff

pyrbob Rest in Peace United States 1943 Posts	Posted 03/22/2011 12:45 pm You have a damaged coin. Since mid 1982 the cent's composition is copper plated zinc. Zinc is very reactive and any small break in the copper plating (even a pinhole) will cause the zinc to corrode which will raise the copper like a small bubble. In your case the bubble collapsed in the center giving the impression it is a D. Report this Post to the Staff
jspr New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 03/22/2011 1:13 pm I looked at the mark on the bust under a magnified glass and its not circular as a bubble might create but has a straight side as a 'D' would have. I'm not disputing your opinion but just offering additional information. Also, it there a place I can take this coin to have it looked at up close and personal to ascertain it's status, be it damaged or something else? Report this Post to the Staff
liveandievarieties Pillar of the Community United States 601 Posts	Posted 03/22/2011 1:22 pm Take your fingernail and press down firmly on the anomaly- That will probably show you that it's a zinc bubble. It's a subject that comes up here at least once a day. Report this Post to the Staff
jspr New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 03/22/2011 1:37 pm I use my nail to press, scape, gauge the spots and there is no give or flaking. I also apply this to the dot on the reverse and had the same result. Report this Post to the Staff
liveandievarieties Pillar of the Community United States 601 Posts	Posted 03/22/2011 2:10 pm It's simply bubbles caused by the corrosion of the zinc under the copper plating. I could show you a hundred coins out of circulation that have the same damage. As the coin circulates further, the bubbles actually open up and reveal white corrosion beneath them. And then the zinc corrodes further, eventually resulting in only a partial cent. I have seen them with holes literally rotted through both sides, and even remnants of less than a half of a cent, when the corrosion progresses. Report this Post to the Staff
jspr New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 03/22/2011 2:15 pm Live and learn, thank you for the education... fun hobby. Report this Post to the Staff
jasper62 Pillar of the Community United States 2189 Posts	Posted 03/22/2011 10:05 pm If your coin stayed out in the elements it would look like some of these http://forum.treasurenet.com/index....51358.0.html Report this Post to the Staff
jspr New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 03/23/2011 11:16 am Great share jasper62, what an eye opener Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,648

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