1981 penny with NO copper?

Hi! I'm Barefoot!
New 'Old' Guy to collectible coins! (62) I have a question on a coin I got in a roll of pennies that has apparently NO copper content! The coin IS however, a shiny zinc color. I've heard of using mercury to do ONE side of a penny, but the whole thing? Or is it possible that it IS a non copper clad error coin? Any way to tell about the mercury? Thanks!

 

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It could have had the copper stripped off of it too, I'm sure.

 

not in 1981, copper plated zincs started in '82.

 

got any picutres?

 

Yeah, see that's what I was understanding! If its a real coin, either it's coated with an extremely thin coating of another metal, or they stamped a sheet of metal used for another coin? if they used mercury, they did the whole coin, and I mean really well! Also it was inside a roll of pennies that (to the best of my recollection) was new from the bank! So I'm leaning on they accidentally stamped it from say a nickle sheet?

 

No. Unfortunately I'm moving into an apartment from a house (An YES it's NOT my idea! Lost the house due to a tragedy from my wife dying ) So I don't have my scanner set up yet. What I'm trying to do is get some idea of the worth of my collection, which included that penny! I found this site during searching for answers on other coins (Have some real good Morgan silver dollars for instance)

 

sorry to hear that . also those morgans sound pretty interesting when you get pix lemme know

 

K! In reading some posts elsewhere here, We can post a picturelog of our coins? (I have a few items, such as the Morgans, a 1946 Cuban 1 cent, several wheat pennies from the 30's to 57, a 1891 penny, and so on!)

 

My condolences in regards to your wife. That's a terrible thing to have to go through.

I could have sworn it said 1982, not 1981... Don't know what I was thinking there. Maybe it was plated with something? Pics would be the only real way to know. Oh, did you try dropping it onto a table from about 3 inches high to hear if it makes that unique ring copper pennies make? You can drop a copper and a zinc and hear a very distinct difference.

 

Can you weigh it? it should be 3.11g or a little less

 

I could have sworn it said 1982, not 1981... Don't know what I was thinking there. Maybe it was plated with something? Pics would be the only real way to know

Working on using my Palm Pre' to get some photos! Back in a little!!
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I used to sell those. Neat OS, never liked the hardware.

 

Since you mentioned "zinc color" it is probably one of these.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1262456/make_a_gold_penny/

This is an experiment that is in several middle and high school chemistry lab manuals. It is a fun, interesting, and stimulating for the student. Unfortunately, many lose interest after showing it around to non chemistry friends and it goes into circulation or is passed for a dime. You can make it a gold color or a silver color.

Jim

 

Thanks! I'm getting a little over it, but the hard thing was the loss of the house we had for 23years.

 

OK. Trying to get you photo's! Hope this works! Attachments (5)?

 

As you see, I've captured it along side of a 63 dime, a buffalo nickel, a regular penny. It is NOT a silver color, but , to me, looks like a stainless steel. Whatcha think?

 

a little blurry but the copper is definatly hiding. i think this is a part of a science project though

 

Looks like a plate job. Sorry.

 

It is indeed plated.

Thanks,
Bill

 

My condolences in regards to your wife. It IS a horrible thing to go through as my wife died in March.
The coin looks like a school project. Did you have a chance to weight it?