Odd metal Lincoln cent

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Mark Metzger, Aug 30, 2017.

  1. Mark Metzger

    Mark Metzger Well-Known Member

    I'd love some input on this 1972 Lincoln Cent. It appears to be of some composition other than the typical 95% copper. I tried to capture the silver hues as best I could in the photos but they don't really do it justice. I've handles a zillion cents and this one is just plain odd.
    Thanks!
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  3. calcol

    calcol Supporter! Supporter

    See if the weight is off.

    Cal
     
  4. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    Same here. I would check the weight.
     
  5. Mark Metzger

    Mark Metzger Well-Known Member

    So, on a whim, I decided to plunk this off Cent in some e-zest for about 10 seconds ...I know, I know, never use the stuff, it ruins coins...but here's what it revealed. Not sure what it was that was removed, but what was revealed is quite lusterous. Could this be a science project nickel plated cent? What the heck playing was removed by the ezest?
    I'm open to all theories.
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  6. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    That's not luster, it looks like it was polished.
     
  7. Gilbert

    Gilbert Part time collector Supporter

    Back in the day when every school had a laboratory, mercury was often used to plate coins.
     
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  8. Mark Metzger

    Mark Metzger Well-Known Member

    So I'm basically dead at this point.
     
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  9. Gilbert

    Gilbert Part time collector Supporter

    It's only a matter of time. :rolleyes:o_O:smuggrin:
     
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  10. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

  11. Mark Metzger

    Mark Metzger Well-Known Member

    Finally got a weight:
    "coated" cent: 3.1g
    control 1972 cent: 3.1g
    not sure how this would be if the coin were coated in something. wouldn't that add weight?
     
  12. SilverWilliesCoinsdotcom

    SilverWilliesCoinsdotcom Well-Known Member

    The weight will vary of course depending on how fast the coin is moving. The closer to the speed of light, the more it will weigh.
     
  13. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    It could of started off weighing less, then the slight coating made it weigh 3.1 o_O
     
  14. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    A trillion Cents equals 10 Billion Dollars. I think a Zillion is more than a trillion... Where do you keep so many Cents?
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  15. Richard M. Renneboog

    Richard M. Renneboog Active Member

    That makes no sense...
     
  16. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    No.. You're supposed to say.. That makes no Cents :rolleyes:
     
  17. Mark Metzger

    Mark Metzger Well-Known Member

    So...any other insights as to what may be going on with this cent? I doubt (based on the condition) that enough of the original metal would have been worn down in order to be replaced 1 for 1 by the coating metal...though I don't know how think of a coating we are talking about. is there any way to test the composition of the outer metal (reactivity to a drop of solution)?
    Thanks
     
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  18. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    I never stated that it was worn down. There are Planchet that are struck on slightly thinner planchets. They are called rolled thin Planchets. Same goes for rolled thick planchets.
     
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