1942 penny color

Luckedup

Why is this a red color

MsMorrisine

looking at the top heights of the letters and numbers (I.G.W.T. and date) then noticing they seem normal colored than the surrounding fields, it could be a layer of paint or other surface contamination wearing off, or some past chemical reaction on it that is wearing thin.

when roll searching you will find all sorts of weird coin happenings

some will be corroded in various ways
painted
plated
with a hole or two
altered dates and mintmarks
signs of cutting attempts
beaten with a hammer between leather to make the diameter increase
other coins squeezed into it with vice
just squeezing it with a vice
homemade chemical attempts to change the color
the oh no why did someone clean it coin cleaning
and the list goes on and on

Luckedup

Luckedup

@Luckedup said:
Why is this a red color

Better picture in the comments

IkesT

@jmlanzaf

Luckedup

@IkesT said:
@jmlanzaf

I dont see your answer

MsMorrisine

don't need all that border stuff

a good closeup is better

Morgan White

@IkesT said:
@jmlanzaf

Sapyx

When copper oxidizes, two compounds can form: copper(II) oxide CuO, which is black. And copper(I) oxide Cu2O, which is red. Under "normal" conditions of a coin in circulation you typically get a mixture of both oxides, causing a brown colour. But it's possible for a high-oxidation environment (like a fire) to create a black or mostly-black coin. It's also possible for a low-oxygen environment to create a red coin, though Earth is a highly oxygenated planet so it can be more difficult to create such an environment, either deliberately or accidentally. Thus, red coins are less common than black coins.

Since it happens post-mint, it's not a mint error, just a result of existing in an unusual environment.

Luckedup

Thank you guys..

jmlanzaf

@Sapyx said:
When copper oxidizes, two compounds can form: copper(II) oxide CuO, which is black. And copper(I) oxide Cu2O, which is red. Under "normal" conditions of a coin in circulation you typically get a mixture of both oxides, causing a brown colour. But it's possible for a high-oxidation environment (like a fire) to create a black or mostly-black coin. It's also possible for a low-oxygen environment to create a red coin, though Earth is a highly oxygenated planet so it can be more difficult to create such an environment, either deliberately or accidentally. Thus, red coins are less common than black coins.

Since it happens post-mint, it's not a mint error, just a result of existing in an unusual environment.

This. @IkesT @Morgan White

Thanks @Sapyx

Morgan White

@jmlanzaf said:

@Sapyx said:
When copper oxidizes, two compounds can form: copper(II) oxide CuO, which is black. And copper(I) oxide Cu2O, which is red. Under "normal" conditions of a coin in circulation you typically get a mixture of both oxides, causing a brown colour. But it's possible for a high-oxidation environment (like a fire) to create a black or mostly-black coin. It's also possible for a low-oxygen environment to create a red coin, though Earth is a highly oxygenated planet so it can be more difficult to create such an environment, either deliberately or accidentally. Thus, red coins are less common than black coins.

Since it happens post-mint, it's not a mint error, just a result of existing in an unusual environment.

This. @IkesT @Morgan White

Thanks @Sapyx