1994 D LMC Copper Layer Missing or Plated?
arby96
Posts: 229 ✭✭✭
I purchased a small collection and found this 1994 D LMC, that appears to have the copper layer missing or it has been plated. The coin weighs in at 2.5 grams. Now if its plated shouldn't this LMC weigh more and if the copper layer is missing shouldn't it weigh less. Please take a look at the photos and let me know what you think. I'm leaning towards plated because that is what it mostly what these types of coins turn out to be.
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Comments
Looks like it is plated to me.
If it were missing the copper layer, it would zinc coloured and have a weaker strike.
It looks OK to me. The plating is so microscopically thin that the lack of it will not affect the strike.
This.
Mass is useless for both the missing layer and plating as the layers are very thin. You'd need more precision in the measurement and, even then, you will be within tolerances.
It doesn't look like the typical plated cent, but I have a 1979 cent that looks like yours. Some plating is very deceptive. It could be a genuine error but it looks a little bit off to me.
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I would say it is likely plated. It could be immersion plating, which would be very thin and likely not be detected on that scale. It does not look like zinc missing a copper layer. Cheers, RickO
High heat can cause the same type of discoloration.
I have never had a Zinc Cent with the copper missing so I don't know how they look and feel close up. Taking the look at the PCGS coin, I don't see the cartwheels/Luster on the coin the copper is missing. This coin shows the Cartwheel/Luster. I am also not sure if a plated coin will show those same characters. That PCGS coin has me leaning even more to a plated coin. Here are a couple photos of the Edge. I am still stumped after looking at the edge. I can't find any copper exposed. Should I attempt to scratch the edge to see if I can expose any copper? If its plated would that work?
Like previously stated a zinc cent would look more gun metal grey and would not be so shiny as your coin - I vote plated.
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@Steven59 You could be correct, I am leaning that way too. I did come across this article with the same year and mint mark coin. Thought I would share. https://coinauctionshelp.com/unplated-zinc-planchet-mint-error/ Please take a look at the article.
It looks a little shiny to me
Your photography is excellent!
peacockcoins
Hope this helps. Is the gun metal look your looking for ? Looks like the platting was eighty sixth.
Hey Everyone, My curiosity got the best of me and I did a tiny scrape test, and I now am positive that this 1994D is a plated coin. Which I figured it would be. In the photo it appears to be copper under the plating. All you that called a plated coin for sure go ahead and pat yourself on the back. I had a feeling it would turn out that way. Not knowing enough about unplated Zinc coins and how they appear in a UNC condition left me guessing of what I had. Great debate on this feed. It would have been a great find if it were a real Unplated Zinc, this time not the case. This is why we search, correct? Please remember when someone post a coin they are posting it to see if they have an error or rare find. Please don't be so quick to dismiss what has been posted. Most of us are here to learn and gain knowledge. Excitement comes once an item has been confirmed to be a true error or rare find. Thanks to you all for your input. It was a fun debate. Just wish the results turned out better.
I believe your photographs answer your question. The diagonal lines running through the fields which look somewhat like ripples are a result of faulty plating of the planchet prior to being struck. Your photo of the 97-D also shows faulty plating in the form of little bumps or pimples apparent around the motto e pluribus unum and below the memorial on the reverse.