1984 Lincoln Memorial Mule?

My cell phone camera has difficulty capturing the luster and natural shine in both obverse and reverse photos. Unusual coin and not sure what the classification falls under. Still sorting through the thousands of coins I inherited from my dad. So far I have found several DD's, mechanical doubling and a variety of planchet errors mixed in.

 

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Why do you think this Lincoln cent is a mule?

Chris

 

I give up, why .. Lol .......

 

Can you show those instead? I don't see any type of mule on this Cent

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule_(coin)

 

In numismatics, a mule is a coin or medal minted with obverse and reverse designs not normally seen on the same piece. These can be intentional or produced by error.

The term has been used by "experts" if one side is silver and another copper. Thus, the question mark after the heading.

 

sure...I will look for coins to post where the response isn't a thoughtful picture of a donkey...

 

We are simply asking why you think it's a mule? Is because both sides are different colors? We are simply trying to follow the same thought path as you.

 

My comment was a reply to the donkey picture. Yes, because both sides are different colors. The reverse side (the picture doesn't really show the silver metallic coating) is drastically different from the obverse. A mule was the closest classification I could find when doing research.

 

1982 small date Lincoln cent has finally been recognized as an official Double Die and not mechanical doubling. I am actually pretty excited about finding it in my collection and will be getting it certified, shortly.

 

Thank you for answering my question. In the world of Numismatics, a mule is not defined by a coin with two different colored sides. This happens very frequently with coins due to how they are stored or treated. A true mule would be two different denominations, a design used on one sided intended for a different year or something similar.

The silver coloring you see is the zinc planchet showing through the rubbed off copper plating. All Lincoln Cents intended for circulation after 1982 were composed of copper plated zinc, hence the term zincoln cent.

 

Mule.......not donkey. And if you clicked on the link following the picture you would have seen what a mule (regarding coins) actually is. I don't see your coin as being such. And the post was intended as a light hearted attempt at some humor. Get used to it if you want to stick around these parts.

 

Hi Michele,
green was just kidding around with you. We all do it from time to time. A Mule coin would be something like a Susan Anthony dollar, paired with a Sacajawea dollar, which could have been an honest mistake I say this with some doubt tho as it should NOT happen ) at the Mint or intentionally done by someone at the Mint with too much time on their hands. Your coin could have been stored improperly causing one side to change color, it could also be an environmental cause after having been found in circulation. Not an error usually in this case but interesting to find the whys of how it happened.

 

great answer, thank you. I wasn't insulted, lol. Just dishing some light hearted fun back to green, as he gave it.

If this helps....The coin was stored in a coin holder and in temperature controlled environment from the year it was originally minted. Besides the unusual coloring, it's in mint condition. My dad was an antique dealer and avid coin collector. He took good care of his coins and I know for sure, would never clean them.

I'm not an expert and joined this forum, not only to share my own findings but for the expertise offered. Many thanks.

 

Michele, if you want to give Ken @green18 a really hard time, take away his bourbon.

I don't mean to offend you or question your Dad's numismatic knowledge, but the coin you posted is hardly in pristine condition. It appears to have circulated for awhile and shows wear allowing the zinc to show through the copper layer.

Chris

 

because my cell phone camera sucks for close up and shiny...

haha...i do want to give him a hard time and looking forward to it...won't take away his bourbon, he might need it ; )

 

No one takes away my bourbon.........well, maybe the wife if she thinks I'm getting out of hand, but that don't happen often.

 

Naughty girl......bring it on.

It's all about fun here.

 

Then what's she do with it ?

 

Thankfully, she hides it........but I always find it.