Is this 1981 Lincoln penny just super shiny?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Darlicious, Dec 20, 2023.

  1. Darlicious

    Darlicious Member

    It's very shiny, looks like a zinc penny and the weight fluctuates. My scale is weird so I weighed several zinc and copper to get a reading.. all the zinc stay at 2 grams and the copper at 3grams. But this one goes back and forth..not sure why it's so shiny but I think it's copper or fake maybe? I've included the 1981 copper penny with it to verify IMG_20231220_193042416~2.jpg IMG_20231220_193152776.jpg IMG_20231220_193044891~2.jpg IMG_20231220_195608943.jpg IMG_20231220_193002152~2.jpg
     
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  3. Mr. Numismatist

    Mr. Numismatist Strawberry Token Enthusiast

  4. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Wasn't the change in alloy made in '82?
     
  5. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Forgive me, but what point is trying to be made?
     
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  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    It's Mint State and has luster.
     
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  7. Darlicious

    Darlicious Member

    I'm sorry I just started learning stuff and I thought pennies that were copper looked alike... I have asked a couple of questions here before and everyone was very helpful. I guess I don't have a point to make, just dumb.
     
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  8. Darlicious

    Darlicious Member

    Thank you, I'm going to look into that. I did upgrade my magnifying glass and I have a ring light. I appreciate you
     
  9. Darlicious

    Darlicious Member

    That's what I was wondering.. like it is old etc.. maybe it's a fake.. I have no clue.. but I guess it's a dumb question and doesn't matter.. I like it though
     
  10. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    It's not fake. Almost nobody would bother to counterfeit a common, modern Lincoln cent worth just a few cents over face value. There's no money in it for them.

    (The only fake Memorial cents I've seen were plastic play money, which yours obviously isn't.)
     
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  11. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    So in answer to your question, yes. It's just shiny. Has the original mint red color. Nice cent, despite a few unfortunate fingerprints. It's not really worth anything, of course, but it does look pretty nice for a 42-year-old cent.
     
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  12. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    I agree. @Darlicious' scale is just not precise enough, which is likely why it bounces between 2 and 3 grams.

    It is, of course, a copper cent, just as all 1981 cents are.
     
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  13. Darlicious

    Darlicious Member

    Oh I didn't expect it to be worth anything other than just being pretty or different.. I just don't know anything yet. I know I have Google and other search engines but I couldn't find anything so I figured y'all were "online" so I used this as a resource.. sorry for wasting your time.
     
  14. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    You're not wasting our time. Stuff like this is what these forums are for! :)
     
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  15. Dynoking

    Dynoking Well-Known Member

    Put that cent into a 2x2 flip or an album and enjoy it. Keep adding more super shiny cents to your collection. Have fun with it!
     
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  16. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Yep!
     
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  17. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    That's a food scale.. You need a jewelers scale for weighing coins!
     
  18. PamR

    PamR You Never Know! Supporter

    Hang in there. You are not dumb! Welcome!
     
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  19. Darlicious

    Darlicious Member

    Oof. I'm poor but I'll check into one (didn't know there was a special one)
     
  20. PamR

    PamR You Never Know! Supporter

    Just take your time.
     
  21. Darlicious

    Darlicious Member

    Thank you, I saw your coins on the recent post of yours. Wow.. they're all really pretty.. can I ask.. is there a term or wording whatever, for when the letters are all puffy and thick/raised up a bit?
     
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