Hi guys, Can someone tell me why this 1982 Zinc Penny has turned grey? Is is because it is made of zinc and the metal is more apt to being affected by the environment? Does this happen to a lot of Pennies made of Zinc? Which is more common, 1982 Lincoln Zinc pennies large or small dates?
Lincoln cents are not made with zinc showing.......well, not since 1943. The core is zinc but there is a coating or plating of pure copper. The pure copper can take on many different colors over the years due either to deliberate chemical treatment or just the environment.