About Zincolns, would you invest in errors? Your opinion

Because of the deterioration factor of the ZINC cents I am VERY hesitant on purchasing Errors (off centers, Clips, caps ect) what's your opinion on this? Think this damaged the interest in cent collecting once the Zincolns started?

 

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I have a few but I shy away from zinc error coins unless I can get them very cheap. I’ll stick to paper money errors and copper coin errors. Lots to choose from.

 

No. Sorry, old timer here who likes coins made with PMs.

 

As long as you keep them in a good environment they won't deteriorate.

Here is my favorite Copper Plated Zinc error from my collection..

 

I am just concerned about the future collectors using whitman blue folders and all Zincolns that are NOT sealed and slabbed. A copper cent will darken with age but after 20 years I fear a Zincoln will pit and deteriorate leaving future collectors trash coins. Just my opinion of course.

 

Interesting thought...zinc immersed in copper sulfate will get a copper coating on the zinc. Would dipping Zincolns in copper sulfate tend to "seal them..." ?

 

would that eventually be deemed "cleaned" label though?

 

If I find one I will keep it but don't plan to buy any zinc errors!!! I'm afraid the error will rot away!!! lol

 

Good question...only if they detect it.

 

I worry the future "penny roll hunters" will be very limited. I found a cent that slid under my floor matt in my truck. it was white!

 

Ok.. Think about this.
Millions of Copper Plated Zinc Cents were struck starting in 1982 which would make them 39 years old. The majority have survived and are in good shape. I think as long as they are not in a harsh environment they can last much longer.

Here are some more Zinc Mint Errors from my collection

 

yes "WE" take care of our coins but we can't control the public that ruins collectable coins. That's the future I worry about for future coin hunters. Oh well nothing we can do about that. You have some FINE Zincolns. I have a few myself in "flips" and they look good, just off centers and such.

 

Hoping i might rest your mind on your concerns about zincolns.

Where to begin...

Zinc Lincoln cents are a copper plated zinc core. If the plating is intact, there is no concern at all. If the plating is penetrated anywhere zinc will be exposed to oxygen. The airs reaction to the exposed zinc will cause zinc oxide to form on the exposed zinc. This is seen as a white/grey/blue powdered dust. Once this forms it protects the zinc underneath it from the oxygen.
In circulation, hands and in and out of pockets drawers and bangging into other coins will constantly knock off the zinc oxide and more zinc will be sacrificed to protect the exposed zinc. In a collection and being caretaken for, the zinc oxide is rarely removed.

Now, as far as "zinc rot" its not rot or a disease. This is a galvanic reaction. Copper and zinc are dissimilar metals. When the two are exposed, and come in contact with water ( think annode zinc, cathode copper, water electrolyte) it creates a tiny galvanic cell and corrosive reaction where the zinc is quickly sacrificed.
This isn't a concern without an electrolyte (water) and its not a concern if the plating is intact, protecting the zinc from becoming an annode or cathode. In circulation this is bound to happen with sweat, water contact, humidity condensation or rain. Lots of ways for water to come into contact with exposed zinc and copper to create a galvanic reaction. In a collection and being caretaken for, not so much.

As far as zincoln errors.... would I pay the same for say a zincoln clipped planchet as I would a copper Lincoln cent planchet of similar clip size?

Maybe not. If the price is right though I'd add it to my collection without issue but I'm not a fan of the appearance of the exposed zinc on zincolns vs. The copper Lincoln cents so I'd most likely want to pay less for a zincoln error vs a copper Lincoln error but the deterioration wouldn't be a concern of mine or a factor in my decision. A couple easy things can be done to keep it from deteriorating for the next forever. 1. Don't mess with exposed zinc or zinc oxide dust. 2. Don't get the coin wet or moist. Both of these things are pretty impossible to avoid just randomly in circulation but are totally controllable in a collection environment.

This is why in circulation they appear to rapidly deteriorate... because they do. They get banged up, zinc exposed, zinc oxide constantly knocked off, and get wet creating a galvanic reaction where the zinc gets sacrificed rapidly day in and day out. Same way steel cents rusted around the edges from the edge not being coated and on the surfaces as the zinc coating there got penetrated. Same way it happens on galvanized screws. Outside a galvanized steel screw isn't going to last forever, in your house it just might.

 

Don't invest, collect.

But if you make some money when you sell, all the better.

 

I have nothing against the zinc cents, in fact I have 2 1998 wide am and 2 2000 wide am cents. I will always keep zincolns if they are an error or variety, just won't spend money to buy them or have them slabbed. OP asked for opinions and that's mine, for what it's worth!!!