New collector, found this in my backyard

MAXtheSTAMPEDE

           Got into collecting just a few months ago, I found this penny completely covered in mud. Hoping it could be old, I rinsed it with a hose, and dried it by pressing cloth on it, not rubbing it dry. I took these pictures and put it in a penny protector. I understand washing coins devalues them but with this one I had no choice, wouldn't have known what it was without washing it. Any criticism on that process would be greatly appreciated as I am very new to this.

         Anyways on to the main points, I think this penny is beautiful and I would mind not keeping it. What would be the BEST method to preserve and protect this coin if grading is not recommended?

         Most importantly, what exactly is afflicting this penny? As a newb it appears to be Rainbow Toning. Yet being a 2016d, I'm not so certain that is the case.

         Final question being, is there any sort of value to this coin in the eyes of someone with more experience?

         Thank you for all the help and for any input. Anything will help me learn. For a backyard find as a newb, this is an exciting coin, but I understand if a lot of people find it insignificant. I still would like the opinions of those people.

Thanks again,
-MAXtheSTAMPEDE

Weiss

That is a new cent. Made mostly of zinc, covered in a thin layer of copper. It is worth exactly $.01. It has no value for its color, but you also did no damage by washing it.

MsMorrisine

nice color
go to the local coin shop and buy 100 cardboard holders for $5 then staple it into one.
due to the environmental damage it's worth 1 cent

AUandAG

Buried coins seldom come out of the ground without some damage due to the environment. Yours is one that was damaged but it is colorful. As stated it's only worth a cent but why not keep it? Can't hurt and in 70 years it might be worth something a lot more!
bob
PS: welcome and great first question

CCDollar

Pride of ownership and the thrill of the hunt often outweighs value...
CC

silverpop

common penny and no real value

amwldcoin

Is it April Fools Day?

Eagleguy

I prefer Kointain capsules over the cardboard 2x2 holders myself.

Coinlearner

I'd hang on to it. It's value is being your first "find". A few or many years down the road, you may wish you still had it. Not many collectors saved their first coin or coins and regret getting rid of them

1Mike1

I'm not out to kill your buzz but its junk. If you're going to save it put it in a coin album. Its beyond preservation.

Hydrant

Nice. Dig up 99 more just like it and you'll have a dollar.

Type2

It was free no down side.

UMCane

You found it, it has nice color from environmental exposure. Put it in a holder and enjoy it when the mood hits you.

joeykoins

First of all, Hi and Welcome to our forum. I might add, Welcome to school, as well! I say school because you'll be taught in many areas. Such as, in ethics, manners and in business. Your first find and coin topic is an interesting one. You dug up a coin find and did everything correctly. Only thing is what you dug up was (like mentioned) a very common coin with no significant value. Though, in saying that, the coin can be very significant to you personally. If desired, keep your find. Once again, Welcome and post often, don't be a stranger and most importantly, have FUN!!! just one of many friends here, joey / One more thing... Your photo taking is excellent. I like what you did with your penny in the middle of the flock of unharmed and uncirculated ones!

ricko

Welcome aboard MAXtheSTAMPEDE .... I cannot add to the above, however, you have joined an elite forum and the information you acquire here (through reading and questions) will serve you well in the coin hobby. Cheers, RickO

Boosibri

This can't be real

1630Boston

Welcome aboard.

panexpoguy

It is so fortunate that he happened to have a roll of mint fresh examples to image his find with!

Eagleguy

@joeykoins said:
First of all, Hi and Welcome to our forum. I might add, Welcome to school, as well! I say school because you'll be taught in many areas. Such as, in ethics, manners and in business.

and just like in school, prepare to be mocked. Somebody probably should have led with that.

dbtunr

I think you all just got punked

asheland

Swampboy

@dbtunr said:
I think you all just got punked

Yeah
Those replying could use that cent to buy a clue.
I suppose me as well now.

LotsoLuck

A lot of cheap horns here

MAXtheSTAMPEDE

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply! I have learned far more than I knew before.

just to clarify, this would be called "colorful environmental damage"?

I should've worded some questions better, so I realize the coin itself is beyond preservation, what I'm trying to protect would be the exact coloring it has now. Like a hermedicly sealed container or something. Or is it going to keep eroding no matter what I do? I'm thinking what I might do is put it in lit picture frame, with other pennies.

Thanks again to everyone who helped and inspired, I love this penny no matter what the other people say. They won't bring me down. With age comes wisdom, and I still have a LONG way to go. Someday I might be like you, but for now I'm ok with being the clown =P

This forum is great and I'm greatful for being accepted,

Thank you all,
-MAXtheSTAMPEDE

MsMorrisine

colorful with environmental damage

buy the cardboard protectors I mentioned.

This type of corrosion should not progress much more than it has, especially once in the holder.

Broadstruck

If you can afford to keep it you should... I still have my first metal detector cent find which is also environmentally damaged and just worth face value.

BIGAL2749

There have been some great collections formed by people who caught the "bug" from such a humble beginning.

Collecting toned coins is very popular to the point where massive premiums are paid for relatively common coins.

You seem to have a fondness for color and collecting can be done at all levels, obviously from 1 cent each to thousands.

hchcoin

You may want to click on the Metal Detecting link on the right hand side of this page. You will find some really nice folks who have found some amazing treasures. I love to read about those finds. You may catch the metal detecting bug as well as the coin collecting bug.