Are you referring to pieces of missing copper plating that reveal the silver colored zinc planchet underneath? If you are, it is likely the result of damage that occurred from circulation, rather than being an error. I had asked he same question a short time ago from a cent that resembled a double die, but was actually a split plating issue. Still, if you like the looks of your 1996-D, keep it. However, personally I would not be interested in buying it, if you were selling it. I am a long time collector, but am an amatuer, so its possible I could be wrong. You posted your question on a good site, so I am sure others will "chime in" and let you know for sure.
What you have there is zinc rot. It’s common among Lincoln cents with a zinc core. Spend it before it disintegrates.
Thanks for the reply but i was refering to there being D mint marks in front his face,lips and chest i drew the imprints on a pic if you look at the one with the drawings and compare to the one without.
lolol. Zinc Rot !!! You would not believe the number of posts we get involving some one thinking zinc rot is some mysterious or secretive or special struck letters or numbers straight from the mint. No offense, I'm not trying to make fun of you, but I promise you, after you've been here a while and see the number of posts generated by Zinc Rot, you'll be smiling' too.
BTW, A1wsn, Welcome to Coin Talk !! where the fun never stops. Feel free to post any pix and ask any questions you may have.
Yup. Holes in the plating, from zinc rot. Zinc is a terrible cheap metal for coins. Not even copper plating it helps. The "D" shape of the holes is purely coincidental.
Your coin is suffering from what is known as zinc rot. Zinc blisters can appear in any shape anywhere on a Zinc Cent. Welcome to CT.
You will hear or see the term pareidolia here often, it is normal for looking too closely at things. Not an insult at all. To quote " Pareidolia is a type of apophenia, which is a more generalized term for seeing patterns in random data. Some common examples are seeing a likeness of Jesus in the clouds or an image of a man on the surface of the moon or Mars. " Jim
I see faces all the time in my faux marble bathroom wall tiles. And the real marble ones in the bathroom at work. (Hey, you've gotta keep your mind preoccupied somehow while youre spending time in there, right?)
Well, as for "Zinc Rot", I just want to say that until about 30 seconds ago, I had never heard that expression, nor did I realize its effect on coins. I realize experienced collectors may tire of seeing numerous posts on the same subject. But as a long time amatuer collector, I like seeing things like this as I have learned something new. So thanks for asking!
