Do you guys know anything about a silver "Colored" Penny. See this scan.

timc67 · December 27, 2003 6:22AM

I have this penny that looks like its made of metal or something. It has a silver color to it. I know very little about coins. I have put a regular colored penny next to the silver "colored" one so you can see the difference. Anyone know why it's this color? I have no clue.

Russ · December 27, 2003 6:24AM

Likely plated. Just a curiosity with no real value.

Russ, NCNE

merz2 · December 27, 2003 6:32AM

It is missing it's copper coat.

timc67 · December 27, 2003 6:34AM

Ok. Thanks for the info

Jody526 · December 27, 2003 7:16AM

timc67,
Both coins are made of metal.
The chances of it being a zinc cent with the copper layer missing, are almost nil when compared to the probability that it is plated or washed.
You can tell for sure by scraping a little off the surface of the edge. You should see the copper underneath.

timc67 · December 27, 2003 7:40AM

Yep. I see the copper underneath. I scratched some of it off. Oh well, now I can spend it.

joeyuk · December 27, 2003 11:34AM

Merz2 I remember a auction for the cent without it's" copper jacket" High priced too.

TWODOGS · December 27, 2003 12:05PM

Looks like it was coated with mercury.

Dog97 · December 27, 2003 12:58PM

There's 2 possibilities: 1, it could be struck on an unplated planchet, which is a nice error to find. 2, it is plated. You can always tell a plated coin because instead of having a luster band that goes round & round it's just shiny & prooflike.
Since you see the copper underneath I guess you answered your own ?

coppercoins · December 27, 2003 6:49PM

A zinc cent missing the copper plating will not be shiny - it will look rather dull. The important part to notice is that all the devices will look normal in height and thickness. If they are thin or shallow, it's probably a copper-removed cent. If they are thick and rounded, it's plated. The weight difference of the coin is usually not enough to tell a difference.

jonesy · December 27, 2003 11:02PM

I used to rub pennies with mercury as a teen. I didn't realize how dangerous it was to me or anyone else that would come in contact with them. Really dumb from someone who should have known.

papabear · December 28, 2003 10:10AM

Hi Everyone
I have 2 (silver) cent's, the 1981 is obviously plated but the 1995 I can't tell.
I tried to scratch the edge but it would not. I used a very sharp knife, but couldn't scratch,
could only cut a single line with width of the blade. Your feedback would be
greatly appreciated. I'm going to try to attach a file, I hope it works.

richbeat · December 28, 2003 10:20AM

Come on papa, spit it out!

papabear · December 28, 2003 10:45AM

Ok, we'll try this one more time.

papabear · December 28, 2003 10:47AM

Grrrr, could someone give me a hand at attaching a file?

cosmos66 · December 28, 2003 10:50AM

When you click on reply there is a little box that looks like a picture. Click on that then enter the URL of the picture if it is online. If not you have to use the attach file(s) option at the bottom of the page.

papabear · December 28, 2003 12:09PM

one more time

papabear · December 28, 2003 12:48PM

Thank You Cosmos66

now can somedoby get this to showup in the post without having to click on the link

Cam40 · December 28, 2003 12:54PM

Cam40 · December 28, 2003 1:01PM

I,m not real sure anyone can `authenticate` a silver colored Lincoln from a scan other than a `43.

I think alot of these are mercury treated of plated somehow or otherwise played with post strike.
However I,ve heard of some that were struck on uncoated zinc Lincoln cent planchets.
Those would have value as a legit mint error.

Jody526 · December 28, 2003 2:40PM

Zinc is a fairly soft metal. It should scratch quite easily.
If it is electroplated, the plating may be of a very hard and brittle metal. You should be able to penetrate it with emory cloth or some similar fine abrasive.

Do you guys know anything about a silver "Colored" Penny. See this scan.

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Do you guys know anything about a silver &quot;Colored&quot; Penny. See this scan.

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Do you guys know anything about a silver "Colored" Penny. See this scan.