Just found this morning and was looking for some causes as to its condition? First purple penny I seen!!!
I have seen older cents (60's - 70's) with that color, but never a 2004. I'm guessing that it would have to have been exposed to some type of chemical to get that color.
Looks like the wear points show only a silver colored metal, the zinc core? Does the reverse show the same coloration? Is there any copper plating? Is the purple color the copper or something else, like paint or ...?? Questions, questions, questions.
reverse The reverse is the same zink outline and purple, i thought it was ink or marker, so I took a Qtip and rubbed hairspray and also acetone on a small spot and I was amazed nothing rubbed off , there is no copper on it that is visible. I wander what chemical would do this? if it was.
Put a new unc cent on top of a light buld for about 10 mins. and see what it does! You can get some nice colors. Better yet you should see what a common butane torch does (the kind used to solder pipe joints) thats why i was never too excited about "rainbow toned coins"
