Interesting. I wonder how long it will be before someone finds one and comes asking about it on the forums.
The artist said she hoped they circulate for a long time. Unfortunately, the engraving most likely cut through the copper plating and into the zinc core. I would expect many to develop zinc rot and become unreadable fairly quickly. Oh, all those artistic dreams and good intentions, crushed by the reality of a poorly designed product @paddyman98 better find one quick before they turn into a corroded mess like your metal detecting finds
I thought there was a law against spending defaced coinage, and was getting ready to sarcastically congratulate the artist on such a feat. Glad I did some quick research first. According to the FAQ page at the US Treasury’s website, the delineator is fraudulent intent. From the article, there appears to be none, so I guess the artist should be ok from a legal standpoint. However as Oldhoopster mentioned, decay will likely set in rapidly as they circulate. They don’t weld pieces of zinc to ocean-going vessels for its durability characteristics.
Not only did she not need the $1200, she probably spent more than $1200 to have someone impress that onto the round edges of 120,000 copper-plated zinc discs.
In 40 years, odds are better of finding a cent with Lincoln smoking a pipe from the 1970s, since these will have disintegrated from the copper layer being breached.
She's an artist, maybe she couldn't afford a 120,000 pre '82's. In any event, for arts sake and the meaning behind them, I will be looking for one.
Yep, mine. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/cents-inscribed-with-words-on-the-edge.367914/#post-4918563
Pretty neat story. I would like one of if my kids, but I doubt they will find their way here from Brooklyn!