1982 Zinc Penny - what happened?

Discussion in 'Error Coins' started by RBurk, Jan 15, 2021.

  1. Oldhoopster

    Oldhoopster Member of the ANA since 1982

    It doesn't look anything like a weak die strike error

    http://www.error-ref.com/weak_strikesinsufficientrampressure/

    https://koinpro.tripod.com/Articles/DieAdjustmentStrikeOrWeakStrikeQ.htm

    https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/1115/

    A coin that’s spent time in an acidic or caustic environment is going to lose mass. Even assuming your scale is properly calibrated and leveled, a measurement of 2.5 grams isn’t verification that it’s copper plated zinc. The fact that zinc isn’t exposed is a strong indication that it is a copper cent.
     
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  3. RBurk

    RBurk Active Member

    I measured the thickness of it. 0.60" Three others I measured were the same or a bit less. I think the bubbling is just a plating issue which was common, especially in the early zinc cents.
     
  4. RBurk

    RBurk Active Member

    I'm sure of the weight as I've measured many copper cents - all right around 3.1 grams and many zinc cents, all about 2.5 grams. Also, the cent is 0.06" which is right at or a tiny bit over the others I measured. If corroded, I would expect some loss of thickness and weight.
     
  5. RBurk

    RBurk Active Member

    High heat could be right. Might that make the bubbling on the surface more intense? Still does not explain the overall weak details though, I think.
     
  6. Fred Weinberg

    Fred Weinberg Well-Known Member

    What you see on the coin's surface
    all occurred well after it was already
    in circulation.

    It is not an error coin of any kind or type, imo.
     
    Heavymetal and paddyman98 like this.
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