naked Lincoln

I posted this in the US coin forum and didn't get much responce. I would like some opinions on this copperless Lincoln I found. It appears to have mint luster left on it, but I'm not sure if it started like this or if someone took the copper off.
The color difference is greater in hand.
Any thoughts on authenticity or value?
Thanks

 

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scans

Here are some scans.

 

did you weigh it?

 

In 1988 it wasn't unusual for bubbles between the zinc and copper. I can't tell from the pix, are there any bubbles? If so, the bubbles only formed from the gas trapped between the copper and zinc. If not, I don't know much more about diagnostics on this type error -- yet.

 

There are no bubbles or copper.

 

I read that the difference in wieght with and without copper is so small it would be in tolerence either way.

 

Well, it was the only diagnostic I knew of off hand - and it was only an exclusionary diagnostic. However, I found this other recent thread: http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=33758 where Mike mentions a few more diagnostics.

 

I have seen zinc cents that have been heated that look like your coin.

 

I have found a few of those over he years as well, but mine appear to be chemically stripped, yours does not.

 

I agree.


What does the outside edge of the coin look like?

Rhubarb

 

The edge is the same color as the obverse and reverse.

 

??? Either it's Copper colored reverse or the color of the obverse. It can't be both.

Rhubarb

 

The whole coin is zinc, the copper 91 cent is just for color comparison.