Can coins rust?

SilverEagles92

I've read a few posts lately claiming that a coin has rust on it, or appears to be rusted.

From what I know, I'm pretty sure that's not the case. Can anyone answer definitively?

Quarternut

Most likely what they are talking about are raised areas on the coin that are the result of pits created on the dies due to rust. The coins look like they have rust on them when they are struck using rusted dies.

The 1833 Bust Quarters are great examples of this...(see below)



QN

Sotty

The only american coins that I heard rusted were the 1943 steel cents and iron goreign coins.

JRocco

JRocco

SilverEagles92

That's really interesting, JRocco. Do CBH's have iron in them?

Goldbully

<< <i>I've read a few posts lately claiming that a coin has rust on it, or appears to be rusted.

From what I know, I'm pretty sure that's not the case. Can anyone answer definitively? >>




Oh Lord Marcovan...you are being paged!!!

terribleredmonster

As mentioned, '43 steelies will definitely rust. I can't think of any other US federal coin off the top of my head that could possibly rust as the metals used to make them preclude the possibility. The rusted die scenario mentioned seems to be the most plausible explanation.

JRocco

They not supposed to SE92.
But this one is rusty.....and slabbed

SilverEagles92

<< <i>They not supposed to SE92.
But this one is rusty.....and slabbed >>

Any explanation?

coinman420

rust is a form of oxidation. steel rusts reddish color. aluminum has "white rust". copper also oxidizes and gets pitted.

silver, gold, platinum and others oxidize more slowly if at all.


the "red rust" is iron oxide when talking steel. most rust on other metals will be a different color.

JRocco

I think when people talk about original coins this and original coins that...
well this one might really be original.

I can only assume surface contaminents and have even been told by a CBH guru it looks like
chewing tobacco got on this one.
Can't say for sure, but I really like this one.
Here is the whole coin, an 1819/8 O-101 small 9, slabbed as a 55.

Quarternut

<< <i>

<< <i>They not supposed to SE92.
But this one is rusty.....and slabbed >>

Any explanation? >>



Please see my explanation above.

There are many other examples in the early Bust coinage in most all denominations that show die rust. It is not the coin that has rust, but the struck image of the pitting on the dies caused by rust.

Silver does not "rust", it does "tarnish" which is a form or oxidation, however it is not ferrous oxide such as what we see on steel.

There have been coins created out of steel (see the reference above by Sotty) and those coins will rust

QN

Edited to add: JRocco's coin may have some rust attached to the coin (at the R in AMERICA), however the coin itself is not rusting.

cladking

Are you talking about NR or AR?


There are different definitions for rust.

COALPORTER

I had some Canadian steel 5 cent "Nickles" that did rust and the rust deposited on other coins too and now it won't come off.

coin22lover

I suppose a coin *could* rust under special circumstances (steel Lincolns?), but here's a great example of *die* rust:

Frankcoins

Rust is the term for corrosion of iron or steel. Other metals may undergo corrosion, but the resulting oxides are not called rust.

StubbyMcNumbthumbs

I have since sold this coin, but I always thought it appeared to have quite a bit of rust, for lack of a better term, all over the reverse.

This isn't the best pic, but you can see the reddish areas which, in hand, had a very "rusty" texture and look.

It was holding a place in my date set until a better example came along.

I would have never thought a copper coin could be covered in rust, but after that one, I'm not so sure.
I never tried acetone or anything, just kept it like it was, so I can't really be sure what it was.

Wish I had a better pic, but anyway...

terribleredmonster

<< <i>Rust is the term for corrosion of iron or steel. Other metals may undergo corrosion, but the resulting oxides are not called rust. >>



That's what I've always heard.

PerryHall

<< <i>Rust is the term for corrosion of iron or steel. Other metals may undergo corrosion, but the resulting oxides are not called rust. >>



Yup. In other metals, it's called toning.