Grey Penny.

Discussion in 'Error Coins' started by John - Maryland, Dec 10, 2009.

  1. John - Maryland

    John - Maryland Junior Member

    I found this 1989 Flat colored Grey Penny in with my change. It is larger than a regular penny and about the size of a Nickle. See Pictures. Any information would be helpful. It maybe one of those "Unclad" pennies I have heard about.
     

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  3. jello

    jello Not Expert★NormL®

    1st Welcome

    To Cointalk!
    Can you post a close up obv&rev??
     

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  4. BadThad

    BadThad Calibrated for Lincolns

    More than likely it's been acid dipped to remove the copper plating.
     
  5. BNB Analytics

    BNB Analytics New Member

    Gorgeous coin!!!

    I'd pay a premium for it!
     
  6. John - Maryland

    John - Maryland Junior Member

    Close up pictures. I hope this works.

    Trying to show close up pictures.
     

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  7. LostDutchman

    LostDutchman Under Staffed & Overly Motivated Supporter


    HUH???

    IMO this coin has had it's outer layer eaten by acid as Thad stated.
     
  8. John - Maryland

    John - Maryland Junior Member

    It maybe an Unclad penny. Somehow I think this is a Mint Error that somehow got out. Nickle size is really confuseing me.
     
  9. SJVM

    SJVM Long Time Gone

    Have to agree with Thad and LostDutchman on this one...
     
  10. LostDutchman

    LostDutchman Under Staffed & Overly Motivated Supporter


    Well technically it is unclad... but that is because it was eaten by acid. Unplated cents that come from the mint still have mint luster where the coins that have been acid eaten show no luster and are kind of pock marked like the coin posted. I have included a picture of a genuine unplated piece. I'm not sure how to explain the larger size... but I'm sure it's a result of the clad layer being removed. But it definitely wasn't made that way.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. John - Maryland

    John - Maryland Junior Member

    This is not an MS65.

    This unclad cent could have been in circulation for some time and would account for dull flat grey color. I have yet to understand how removeing the clad layer would somehow make the coin bigger. Thanks for your input.
     
  12. rockdude

    rockdude Coin Collector

    It looks like this coin has been in a fire. This would be why the copper is gone as well as the expansion of the zinc and would also account for the coloring.
     
  13. John - Maryland

    John - Maryland Junior Member

    Zinc

    Didn't know if you heated up a zinc penny it will increase the size to a nickle.
     

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  14. foundinrolls

    foundinrolls Roll Searching Enthusiast

    Hi,

    It is a coin that is what we call , environmentally damaged. That means that anything such as acid, or being buried, for example removed the plating after the coin left the Mint.

    In reality, soaking a zinc cent in your favorite cola flavored soft drink will actually cause the same effect over time.

    The size was altered , either by placing it between two pieces of leather and hammering it, or heat was used to expand the zinc.

    It is not an error of any kind.

    Thanks,
    Bill
     
  15. jallengomez

    jallengomez Cessna 152 Jockey

    Ditto. Been there done that several times. Don't tell the secret service though!
     
  16. John - Maryland

    John - Maryland Junior Member

    I would think by putting the coin between leather and hammering it would cause some marks on it, and also flatten all the raised image and rim, but it has all its "Raised" image and rim, and no hammer marks, and there is no thinning of the coin.
     
  17. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    That's exactly how it happened!! Take a coin, especially a 1 cent and place it between two leather belts and give it a couple of whacks with a hammer. There shouldn't be any marks on it as you have a buffer between the hammer and the coin. check it out!! :thumb:
     
  18. SJVM

    SJVM Long Time Gone

    You are getting some very good advice here, my friend... if I were you, I would listen and learn. If that one guy would pay you a "premium" for it, go right a head and sell it to him.

    You might want to do some little experiments on you own to see all the different ways that people are telling you that a coin can be altered/damaged. Take three common LMCs, stack them and put them in a vice. Squeeze the hell out of them and then check out the one that was in the center. Where there is a will.... there is a way.
     
  19. John - Maryland

    John - Maryland Junior Member

    Picture of coin thickness.

    Thickness is not that of a hammered coin.
     

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  20. SJVM

    SJVM Long Time Gone

    Okay... did you notice the edges?? Compare the gray one to the regular.. see any differences? Sorry, but it did not come out of the mint like that... photo prove it. Seriously, try doing as others have said and see what you get. Using a thick leather belt will protect the coin from hammer marks. Give me a day or so... Ill try to see how close I can come to making one that looks like yours.
     
  21. SJVM

    SJVM Long Time Gone

    P.S. Ever put one on the RR tracks for a train to run over? They end up a lot less thick than yours and you can often still see the details on them.... although in "shadow", of course :) Ahh... fun with pennies!! NEVER ENDS! :)
     
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