84 linc with a peeling skin

mact

I've got a 1984 lincoln penny with the skin peeling. The outside (zinc?) is coming off and a silverish metal shows below. Is this a lamination issue? Is it worth more than a penny?

thanks,
Matt

coppercoins

he composition of the current Lincoln cent is 97.5% zinc (core) with a 2.5% composition of pure copper (plating). The "peeling" part would be the copper, not the zinc, and the "exposed" part would be the pure zinc core which will corrode if exposed to air. Given the year in which your coin was minted, it is most likely either a gas bubble problem created during the plating process or splitting caused during the striking process. They are rather common and only command a premium if they are rather major.

richbeat

I would get Mr. Lincoln to the doctor ASAP. Sounds serious.