Home› U.S. Coin Forum
Options

Markgripp Hello I have a 1980 D Lincoln penny that I believe is an off-metal strike error. I would

MarkgrippMarkgripp Posts: 6 ✭
edited September 8, 2025 1:20PM in U.S. Coin Forum



Best Answer

  • Options
    FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 6,031 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Answer ✓

    Scratch a little deeper and you’ll see the copper

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.

Answers

  • Options
    hummingbird_coinshummingbird_coins Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I don't see any luster, just a sheen that hints that the coin has been plated.

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
    Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled

  • Options
    World67World67 Posts: 13,096 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why do you believe it's an off metal strike?

  • Options
    FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 6,031 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It’s been plated as a novelty item or a science class experiment

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • Options
    coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 12,523 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Plated for sure, see a lot of these.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • Options
    MarkgrippMarkgripp Posts: 6 ✭

    But a plated coin from 1980 would be copper under the plating correct? I scratched the edge pretty deeply to expose the copper underneath but it’s the same under the scratch. As you can see in the edge picture.

  • Options
    MarkgrippMarkgripp Posts: 6 ✭

    Also the coin weighs 3.11 grams which is the proper weight for a copper coin, which is strange that if it is a plated copper coin it should be over weight?

  • Options
    291fifth291fifth Posts: 25,206 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I hope it isn't coated with mercury.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • Options
    MarkgrippMarkgripp Posts: 6 ✭

    Ok so I scratched it deeper and yes it exposed the copper thank you for your time. If anyone would care to check out my other post in world coins I would appreciate it. Thanks again!

  • Options
    jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 42,354 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Markgripp said:
    Also the coin weighs 3.11 grams which is the proper weight for a copper coin, which is strange that if it is a plated copper coin it should be over weight?

    Plating adds negligible weight. It's usually still within tolerance for the coin.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Options
    World67World67 Posts: 13,096 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Markgripp said:
    Ok so I scratched it deeper and yes it exposed the copper thank you for your time. If anyone would care to check out my other post in world coins I would appreciate it. Thanks again!

  • Options
    Russell12Russell12 Posts: 825 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Markgripp said:
    But a plated coin from 1980 would be copper under the plating correct? I scratched the edge pretty deeply to expose the copper underneath but it’s the same under the scratch. As you can see in the edge picture.

    I have a coin possibly worth thousands and I scratched the hell out of it.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Home • U.S. Coin ForumComment As ...