I have a 1909 vdb cent that is a brass color in real good shape. Were there any in brass or any prototypes in brass ?
A reproduction/fake is all i can think of. Someone else will come along and probably give you a better answer.
diemaster, Welcome to Coin Talk! It is probably the result of an improper alloy mix when the planchet stock was being produced! The mix should be 90% Copper and 10% Tin and Zinc but when they get too much Zinc in the mix, then the planchets take on a Brass look and in reality, they aren't far from it. Your 1909 Cent appears to be a nice one! Could you take a close-up of the Obverse and another of the Reverse and post them here? We love to oogle coins! Is it a 1909-P or 1909-P VDB Cent? Frank
huntsman53, Through 1981, Lincoln cents are 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc except the 1943 (steel) and 1944 - 1946 5% zinc. And, yes, the alloy could have something to due with the color. However, it is not at all uncommon for Lincolns to vary in color from "yellow" to a deep red. I suspect that the environment has more to do with it than the alloy.
This has become a common thing since the experiment is in several high school chemistry manuals. http://michaelsherlock.com/2008/08/07/how-to-make-a-gold-penny/ If you google " make gold penny", videos and such also pop up. Jim
Too bad it isn't a S-VDB. I can only imagine the listing on Ebay, if the seller of it had a wild imagination. I think it's kewl! :thumb: Ribbit
Yeah, my bad! That is what happens when I get in a hurry! Yes, it is not uncommon for Lincolns to vary in color from "yellow" to a deep red due to the environment or environments that they have been over the years! However, I believe in the case of the OP's coin and especially based on the new pictures, it is more a factor of the alloy mix. Frank
Check coppercoins.com. I can't tell from the pictures but this may be a 1909-P-1DO-002. Click on the marker photos and compare it to your coin. It looks like the LIBER on your coin is thick like the example. Good Luck.
