1943 Lincoln Cent Damage

Robgetty

Question:

I have 4 Steel Cents, all slabbed MS66. The first 3 are in NGC slabs, (PDS) and the 4th is in a PCGS slab
for my type set. I bought them all paying close attention to them for eye appeal, etc.

I was going through all of my slabs tonight, and noticed that 2 of the NGC steel cents and the PCGS coin
all have horrible spotting on both sides. I didn't see any problems on the rest of the coins. I have been
storing these coins in a NGC brown box and a PCGS blue box in a safe with drying agent to keep the
moisture down.

Any idea of what has caused this? Did I do something, or is this just like a fingerprint showing up later?

LanLord

David addressed this in the Q&A forum many months ago.

I don't remember the exact wording, but it sounded like sometimes coins just turn that way, and once they do - it's a done deal.

dorkkarl

although i do buy slabs, i would NEVER EVER leave a steel cent in a slab. it's a metal combination (zinc + iron) that is pre-disposed to corrosion.

i've wax-coated my unc steel cents in the hopes that it will delay the electro-chemical reaction between the 2 metals, but the fact is, all steel cents are doomed. it's just a matter of time....

K S

coppercoins

I'm with Dorkkarl on this one.

Theop

How is it that it could make it 61 years in good condition, then all of a sudden be at high risk?
In some sense all coins, especially copper are doomed eventually.

I would think that if stored in a non-corrosive environment and not sneezed on when slabbed, a 1943 cent would remain in good condition.

carl

1943 coin damage. Not sure what caused the damage but I have over 20 rolls of the 1943 steel cents in plastic rolls. I open them every 5 years or so and they still look the same as when I put them there many, many years ago. Many were in UNC when put there and still are.

carl

Please note the ionic reaction your referring to with the contacting of dissimilar metals to each other is primarily distructive with changes in temperature and not necessarily the type or quantity of protective coatings over the metals. This is the princiipal of thermocouples where at the point of contact during changes in temperature there is an elctronic exchange. This would indicate to keep the 1943 cents in a stable temperature.

Conder101

The electro-chemical reaction also requires moisture to proceed which is why it is important to keep them in a dry environment. The dryer the better.

Robgetty

I'm really surprised by how bad they got, after several years of looking as good as they were when
I first bought them. It also is interesting that it happened to 2 different types of slabs. I just don't
want anything happening to my main collection.