curious what you guys think about these two coins. One is just probably damaged but the 2016 just looks like its missing a layer. I included other coins in the image to show the difference and also up close scope images. both weight 2.5g. thanks for any help you can provide
No. Your 2016 is find. If it was missing the copper plating it would be silver in color due to the exposed zinc.
They both weigh 2.5g? That's typical for the 2016 cent but the 1978-d one should weigh 3.1g. Also, that color you're referring to is just natural toning (oh and pennies don't have a clad layer).
Says they BOTH weigh 2.5 grams, but shows 5 different dates, 4 or which are copper plated zinc and should weight 2.5 grams and a 78 D which should be made of brass and weigh 3.1 grams.
I was just using other coins as reference to the color on the one that is obviously a toned coin. Like I said I was just seeing what you guys think it just seemed odd I've never seen a goldish type color before
I just meant the two coins that I was referring to one is obviously a toned coin based on some replies and the other was just a damaged coin and those two I was referring to weigh 2.5 g. The other coins we're just use as a reference because of the color . Sorry for the confusion
I really appreciate the replies and explains a lot. both of these that are in question weight at 2.5 g and are the correct weight for their year so I assume it's a chemical thing or Tonning but how would you know a coin has been chemically altered or if it might be a variety or error or something other than a experiment or chemical used? By the way I apologize for using the term clad I'm not sure why I said that I definitely know the difference but either way it just seemed like a layer was missing but obviously it's a toned calling I've just never seen a toned coin this color especially being 2016 because I do collect toned and odd colored Coins just haven't seen a AU or we shield coin this pale goldish color like this one
You're right and I miss spoke I apologize, I don't even know why I said that LOL I was on my phone trying to quickly make a post and I apologize for that but thank you for the reminder god knows I need it
If any of your zinc pennies are missing their copper layer, they would be silver-colored (not silver just the color silver) because of the zinc core. Sometimes the copper layer can be removed outside the mint through a chemical reaction, but this would remove the entire copper coating and likely leave surface damage. Mint errors are usually only missing the copper layer on one side and will not leave the mint with any surface damage. A cent that shows zinc on both sides is very likely just a victim of post-mint damage. In your case, the copper layer is easily visible and has only been tinted a different color by some sort of environmental damage. Hope this helps.
When they plate the zinc blanks with copper some of the zinc dissolves into the solution. As the solution becomes more and more contaminated the blanks get plated more and more with a combination of copper and zinc, in other words brass. And as the contamination increases the plating take on a more and more golden color. The solution should be changed before that happens but it doesn't always get changed in time.
