Steel Looking Lincoln Cents

gmarguli

I've been searching thru original Lincoln rolls and I've noticed a couple of the coins look like steel cents. The coins frequently have a crecent of red and the rest of the coin looks very similar to a steel cent.

Any idea what causes this? It doesn't look like toning, but rather the red has disappeared.

These coins were from original bank wrapped rolls. This isn't specific to any date.

oldcameoproofsguy

Poor planchet preparation can cause this. If the zinc planchet isn't completely coated with copper it will leave a cent that has exposed zinc. If the zinc planchet is coated with a trace of copper on its exterior it would probably explain the red color.

oldcameoproofsguy

I found a link that describes briefly unplated planchet errors. Link

Clankeye

oldcameoproofsguy--
For a new guy you impress the heck out of me. Good answer, good follow up.
Carl

Dog97

Unplated planchets sounds good as long as gmarguli's coins are post-1982.

gmarguli

Nope. They are from 1959 and 1961. The 1961 is the most dramatic. I have several like this.

darktone

Greg- I don't know what would cause this either but it sounds neat. Post a picture of it. mike

gmarguli

It doesn't scan well. I can't get the color difference to show up.

I think I'll take the coin to Long Beach and show it to Fred Weinberg and see what he says.

darktone

Greg- let us know Fred Weinberg says. mike

clevegreg

Hi Greg,

I just found a couple in bank wrapped rolls that sound just like yours. Strange.

Greg