Zinc removed? Error Silver plated Lincoln?

Hi All, I had client's come sell me some junk silver today and they were asking me about this weird penny they found with it. It honestly stumped me, it has the copper rim but is zinc all around. Any idea?

 

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Just looked plated to me.

 

Looks plated obverse joined to a copper cent. Otherwise, just a normal coin w/plated obv. It is an altered coin not any kind of mint error.

Need better magnified image.

 

I agree, it does have a plated look, a lot like those reprocessed 1943 cents you see every once in a while. Is the reverse normal?

 

Rubbed with mercury. Wash your hands.

 

You're right, it does have the mercury look to it.

 

A coin rubbed w/mercury will not have the "lip" or bulge we see on the edge.

 

Looks like a normal plated copper penny.

 

1959 did not have a zinc plate

therefore, PMD

 

My default answer for these - especially 50's/early 60's dates - is science-class plating.

 

Thanks Guys,

Errors or plating are definitely not my thing so I passed along the information to the guys.

 

Plated, last picture is where they attached the electrode.

 

That could be mercury givin the date. It was a very popular thing to do in the 50s, for kids to plate lincolns with mercury. I would stop touching it!