Found this at work in a penny roll. while it looks really cool, the toning on this cent is due to oil or some other liquid, there were several others with not so spectacular results
Wow, I meant to delete the post cause You can’t really see the toning in a photo. Whatever, here goes. I put it in the album anyway, spot was empty.
How do you know oil was involved?? And yes, toning can be usually be photographed. The very light cents from the period 1983 onwards are due most likely to excess zinc in the mixture, or the copperplating was mixed with some excess zinc, thus becoming a light brassy color. Brass is as you may recall is a mixture of zinc and copper. Whereas bronze is copper and tin. The older cents (1909 - 1940s or so), will display some alloy imbalances, light streaks of zinc or tin. Some collectors really like these early alloyed pieces. A few souls like the lighter brassy colored cents from the later period 1982+, especially if the coin is very pale. First image below by Mike Diamond Next image and quote from Coin Talk JIMSKI: "According to the mint report on these, they should be classified as a mint error rather than a planchet type. The official explanation is that the planchets were overheated during annealing, resulting in zinc migrating into the copper (thankyou, Alan Herbert)." "I had collected 2 brassy colored coins in the late 80s from circulation. I always wondered if they were altered or what. About a year ago, I found the above explanation. It turns out one of the coins was a 83 and the other was a 85-D. I attached pics. I also have a second 83 with a very subtle brassy color." Alles is clear now, yes? Gary in Washington
I figured it since there were others in the bag with a really sticky residue on it, is there any way for me to tell at home if it was due to some sort of substance? If it’s natural, then these are really cool cents then. Also, any tips on how to photograph coins? My camera blurs out when I get within 4 inches of something.
Well , for about $20.00 you can make it a very fine close-up macro camera! Available everywhere (Amazon et cetera). Gary in Washington
Well be sure to send me/us some pics. Shoot lots of them, use different lights, etc. Get to know it! Gary in Washington
Is there a certain light you use? I heard different bulbs have varying effects on detail presentation.
Well, here they are. Lens came in today and I took a few photos real quick, I took a few at an angle in order to show more color. Real pretty
Good start, it is best when you can support the phone/camera, reduces blur. Great color too. Looking forward to more of your photographic gems. Gary in Washington