Can coins rust?

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SilverEagles92
SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
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?
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  • Quarternut
    Quarternut Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭
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    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)

    image

    QN

    Go to Early United States Coins - to order the New "Early United States Half Dollar Vol. 1 / 1794-1807" book or the 1st new Bust Quarter book!

  • Sotty
    Sotty Posts: 373 ✭
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    The only american coins that I heard rusted were the 1943 steel cents and iron goreign coins.

  • JRocco
    JRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    image
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • JRocco
    JRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    image
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • SilverEagles92
    SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭
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    That's really interesting, JRocco. Do CBH's have iron in them?
    image
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  • Goldbully
    Goldbully Posts: 18,557 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    << <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!!! image
  • terribleredmonster
    terribleredmonster Posts: 456 ✭
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    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.
    "YOU SUCK!" Awarded by nankraut/renomedphys 6/13/13 - MadMarty dissents
  • JRocco
    JRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    They not supposed to SE92.
    But this one is rusty.....and slabbedimage
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • SilverEagles92
    SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭
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    << <i>They not supposed to SE92.
    But this one is rusty.....and slabbedimage >>

    Any explanation?
    image
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  • coinman420
    coinman420 Posts: 4,666 ✭
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    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.
    my ebay items BST transactions/swaps/giveaways with: Tiny, raycyca,mrpaseo, Dollar2007,Whatafind, Boom, packers88, DBSTrader2, 19Lyds, Mar327, pontiacinf, ElmerFusterpuck.
  • JRocco
    JRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.
    image
    image
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • Quarternut
    Quarternut Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭
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    << <i>

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

    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.

    Go to Early United States Coins - to order the New "Early United States Half Dollar Vol. 1 / 1794-1807" book or the 1st new Bust Quarter book!

  • cladking
    cladking Posts: 30,312 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Are you talking about NR or AR? image


    There are different definitions for rust.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • COALPORTER
    COALPORTER Posts: 2,900 ✭✭
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    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
    coin22lover Posts: 3,542 ✭✭✭
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    I suppose a coin *could* rust under special circumstances (steel Lincolns?), but here's a great example of *die* rust:

    image
  • Frankcoins
    Frankcoins Posts: 4,572 ✭✭✭
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    Rust is the term for corrosion of iron or steel. Other metals may undergo corrosion, but the resulting oxides are not called rust.
    Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com
  • StubbyMcNumbthumbs
    StubbyMcNumbthumbs Posts: 1,259 ✭
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    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...

    image
  • terribleredmonster
    terribleredmonster Posts: 456 ✭
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    << <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.
    "YOU SUCK!" Awarded by nankraut/renomedphys 6/13/13 - MadMarty dissents
  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    << <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.image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

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