I just paid $1.00 for this penny. It's a 2014 NMM Lincoln cent with no copper clad layers on either side. Its in pretty nice shape. Any comments on value and status would be great
Cents do not have a Clad layer. Only Dimes, Quarters and Kennedy Halves are Clad.. What you have is a Copper Plated Zinc Cent which is dark due to Environmental Damage.. You paid 99 Cents more than what it is worth
The Word "Clad" in US Numismatics Is reserved for the Nickel Clad Coinage that started being produced in 1965. The proper term for your Cent is Plated, and Copper Plated at that. and seeing that it does not have a Mint mark means that it was made at the Philadelphia mint. Are you able to weigh your coin? The weight will tell you if it is really missing the Copper Plating. It should weigh 2.5 Grams.
I have always thought this was a good reference for un plated zinc cents. https://conecaonline.org/unplated-lincolns/
They color of the coin is a shinny silver just short of chrome. And it is a factory like finish to both sides meaning that it does not appear to have been altered in any way. more over the finish is consistent with no change of color appearance around the lettering and no shadowing. And the coin weights 2.5.g.
It looks coppery on the lettering and date on the obverse. I don't believe a cent with the copper plating missing should be shiny, all I have seen are sort of a matte gray.
It's normal.. Altered color on a Copper Plated cent.. You do not have a Mint Error Value is still 1 Cent
sounds like a car-guy wrote that "does not appear to have been altered" in no ways means that it was not visually damaged in it's appearance from simple things even in the air. It's like rust on an unpainted car ... it was never "altered" .. just environmental damage.
I took the liberty of rotating the OP's coin and re posting it here. And added one that I have for comparison. @Trailer king if you look at both the above examples, they have a couple things in common that separate them from @JCro57 example of a true un plated cent. A) both show a coppery tone in spots not plated thick enough or have been worn down by circulation. B) neither of them show radiating metal flow lines from the die. the plating has filled them in. c) there is no apparent luster on these coins, even though they look bright and shiny. d) any and all contact marks (damage) have a very flashy appearance. e) a true un plated cent would not have a reflective appearance. f) not to forget both have plating blisters, obviously the 83' has more. it was very common. With newer cents the bonding technology is much better. I hope this helps