1989 Unplated Zinc Lincoln Penny

Haley_Foxhog · 05-08-2004, 01:44 AM

I found this penny and I was wondering if anyone could offer any information on how much this might be worth. It appears to be a regular everyday penny without the copper plating. You can find the pic here if you would like to see it. I don't believe it's been tampered with. If anyone can offer any information it's be greatly appreciated.

pog · 05-08-2004, 07:03 AM

where is the pic. someone here i am sure can help you with a little bit more info. thanks for posting and welcome.

**jody526** · 05-08-2004, 05:31 PM

Welcome, Haley_Foxhog.

You might try scraping a little off the edge of the coin. You should see the copper plating underneath.
Plating coins is a common jr. high school science class experiment.

Haley_Foxhog · 05-09-2004, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pog

where is the pic. someone here i am sure can help you with a little bit more info. thanks for posting and welcome.

Sorry, you can find the pic here on my deviantART page

Haley_Foxhog · 05-09-2004, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jody526

Welcome, Haley_Foxhog.

You might try scraping a little off the edge of the coin. You should see the copper plating underneath.
Plating coins is a common jr. high school science class experiment.

I already did scrape at it, and nothing came off of it so I think it might just be authentic. Still doesn't tell me the value though lol

**jody526** · 05-09-2004, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haley_Foxhog

I already did scrape at it, and nothing came off of it so I think it might just be authentic. Still doesn't tell me the value though lol

Well, if nothing came off, then you didn't scrape it hard enough. lol

As far as telling you the value, only the person that buys it will be able to do that.

satootoko · 05-09-2004, 03:10 PM

After looking at your small picture, I voted "I'd have to see it". There simply isn't enough detail in the picture to form any opinion. I'm assuming that the picture's color is off, because I think that if the coin is really that color it's been messed with.

Haley_Foxhog · 05-09-2004, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satootoko

After looking at your small picture, I voted "I'd have to see it". There simply isn't enough detail in the picture to form any opinion. I'm assuming that the picture's color is off, because I think that if the coin is really that color it's been messed with.

No, you're right it is a really crap happy picture... It's a lot shinier if you see it in person, and actually has more of a silver color to it. I just don't know how to take a better picture of it or else I would have already.

tbassco · 05-24-2004, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haley_Foxhog

No, you're right it is a really crap happy picture... It's a lot shinier if you see it in person, and actually has more of a silver color to it. I just don't know how to take a better picture of it or else I would have already.

I have just found a 1989 "unplated penny" as well. I was wondering if it could be real or just wear. Mine is not as shiny as your picture but has no evidence of copper plating. Any-hoo, maybe I could retire after all?

National dealer · 05-24-2004, 08:24 PM

Well as others have eluded to, many of these coins were altered in High Schools and Middle schools across the country.
On very rare occasions, the plating can come off of Lincoln cents. If you believe that yours is in this very small case, have it certified.

Haley_Foxhog · 05-29-2004, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by National dealer

Well as others have eluded to, many of these coins were altered in High Schools and Middle schools across the country.
On very rare occasions, the plating can come off of Lincoln cents. If you believe that yours is in this very small case, have it certified.

If I had a clue on where to get it certified, I would. I really can't think of any coin dealers in my area that aren't in pawn shops. Any suggestions?

National dealer · 05-29-2004, 08:44 PM

http://www.ngccoin.com
http://www.pcgs.com
http://www.anacs.com

All three are certification companies. You must be a member to submit to them. If you are an ANA member, NGC allows submissions through them. If that doesn't help.

http://anamarket.money.org/

This is a link to the ANA dealers guide. Look for a dealer that is close to you.

That is about the best that I can do for you.

joecoin · 05-30-2004, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbassco

I have just found a 1989 "unplated penny" as well. I was wondering if it could be real or just wear. Mine is not as shiny as your picture but has no evidence of copper plating. Any-hoo, maybe I could retire after all?

If the one cent piece has a "shiny" appearance to it, it has probably been plated, most likely with mercury (don't pu it in your mouth!), possibly with silver or ?.

If it has a dull gray appearance , it probably has no plating. This is not an uncommon error, howevr, it can be easily faked. I have stripped the plating off a number of zinc Lincolns using electronic circiut board etch (acid).

You can find many experts at this site:

http://groups.msn.com/ErrorWorld

Joe

kenneeds · 12-12-2004, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haley_Foxhog

I found this penny and I was wondering if anyone could offer any information on how much this might be worth. It appears to be a regular everyday penny without the copper plating. You can find the pic here if you would like to see it. I don't believe it's been tampered with. If anyone can offer any information it's be greatly appreciated.

I also have one of these pennys. I came to this forum to find out what it was. It has no copper. I use pennys for golf ball markers, and this one looked like the war pennys.
I noticed that on the edges it was shiny steel, not copper.
The face is blue/gray color.
Stange looking for a Lincoln 1989 penny.
Ken Needs