Copper error cent, 2.5 Memorial cent.

I recently discovered this error cent that weighs 2.5 grams. I think I can still read the date as being 82, as in 1982 ! My. Question is, has there ever been a Memorial cent, regardless of year, that weighs 2.5 grams ? I'm trying to determine if I've stumbled upon a discovery coin.

 

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https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/us-coins-weight-composition-and-tolererances-jpg.1257744/

 

Newly discovered Memorial cent, 2.5 grams. Any information at all concerning this coin ?

 

2.5 grams is exactly what a copper-coated zinc Lincoln cent should weigh.

 

It’s probably a zinc cent with a copper coat and that’s normal.

 

What I want to know is what happened to the coin?? It's seriously damaged.

 

@Alex G …get a Yeoman Red Book and read the Lincoln cent section.

Around Oct. 1982 the U.S. Mint began striking Lincoln cents made from copper plated zinc and those weighed 2.5 grams. From that beginning in 1982 until 2008, the reverse was the Lincoln Memorial for zinc cents.

The original year of the Memorial reverse was 1959, were copper alloy and weighed 3.11 grams. They were replaced with the zinc cent in 1982. You can read all about it in the Red Book.

 

Damaged cent either way. It would pass in a purchase maybe, but otherwise, not worth a cent, at least to me.

 

It is a zincoln (2.5), it is interesting, I would keep it. Not worth over face value but a great show-n-tell coin. Good luck.

 

I want to say it was exposed to enough heat to melt the zinc core, and when that happens, it deforms like a tiny water balloon. But in my experience, a melted core doesn't obliterate the detail that's struck into the copper layer. This is a very strange example. It's still clearly damage, but I'm not sure exactly how it was damaged.

 

Maybe we are seeing it wrong?
I wonder if the copper plating is actually raised. Or if it just looks that way?

 

Sorry I only just saw this reply. Yes, I'm in agreement with you there, however, the coin in question has been hit in such a way that, the core of the coin is visible for all to witness, and it's copper, or brass or some combination there of, but it isn't "Zinc", of this I'm certain. And yes, we can disagree without being disagreeable... it's known as sharing information or mutual specualtion; sharing incites to come to some mutual agreement, nothing more. Seems so much is made of offering up one's opinion without it being viewed as a dispute. Sharing and growing together is how I'd like to consider it, wouldn't you agree? Thank you very much for sharing your information with me. Happy hunting to you and good luck my friend !

 

Thank you so very much for your reply to my question. Yes, I have the Red book, and I'm aware of the stats you speak of. This coin evidently, was struck in such a way that it's core is exposed, as well as the edge's of the coin being worn down, I'm certain this cent is either copper, brass or some such combination of the two, yet containing no appreciative significant amounts of zinc to warrant its core being Zinc; especially when I can see the coins inner parts where it was hit; of this I'm certain. It's why I'm here searching. Which caused me to speculate within the limited scope of my own experience and knowledge, that the coin in question very well may be a transitional coin. Through all my research, however, I have yet to come across information concerning a memorial cent, being void of Zinc, weighing 2.5 grams, outside of the Zinc/Shied cents of 1982. All the information I can gather will aide me in coming to some comprehensive decision concerning its authenticity. Though I imagine that in the finally analysis the only judgement that'll make a difference, is that of the experts that work within the industry's that grade these things; such as PCSG, ANAC, Etc.. Again, thank you for the time and effort you've attributed to my endeavor, I couldn't be more appreciative. Happy hunting to you and good luck!

 

I don't know what happened to it, that's part of what I'm attempting to learn. From looking at it, it appears to have been "Struck Through"! What would cause a coin to experience its obverse looking this way, while its reverse appear to be relatively unscathed? An obverse strike through is all I can think of. I'm beginning to believe that nothing short of a spectrum analysis will answer the questions concerning this coin... This journey is beginning to take on a very life of it's own. I do hope the rest of the community will continue to accompany me on this journey of discovery! Happy hunting !

 

I just don't know! One person thought it may have been burned! Burned? Surely the reverse would've also been effected had that been the case... wouldn't it have? How very interesting it all seems! A true case of deduction, how fascinating.

 

Ha ha my friend, neither am I. Seems like we have a real case of deduction on our hands; how very interesting its become! Could it in fact be a transitional coin?

Please read my reply to some of the other questions being raised here... thanks!

 

As you can't make out the date or details on the coin, there is not really much hope of identifying it
The metallic composition and obverse master hub changes ultimately led to the creation of seven different types of 1982 business-strike Lincoln cents, including:

• 1982 brass large date.
• 1982 brass small date.
• 1982 zinc large date.
• 1982 zinc small date.
• 1982-D brass large date.
• 1982-D zinc large date.
• 1982-D zinc small date.

 

Several things: The way you phrased your question made it seem like you needed basic information. I apologize if I was too pedantic to your query.

I know of no information regarding memorial Lincolns that weigh 2.5 grams, although a thin rolled copper alloy is a possibility, coupled with some sort of strike-thru.

I agree a analysis of the metal may be the only definitive way to determine what the composition is.

I don’t see anything in the date area that supports your identification of the coin being 1982 ( or any other date, for that matter ).

I agree if the coin had been subjected to extreme heat it would have affected the reverse as well.

The upshot of it all is you have a great mystery on your hands, I hope you don’t have to spend too much $$ in the process to detect an answer, but I very much applaud your efforts and wish you luck in doing so…Spark

 

It is not possible for a coin the be struck by a die and look like that. Dies do not wear like like that and even if it did, it would have been removed from service well before then. Also, it doesn't look anything like a struck through capped die error

It looks like you have a normal copper cent that was grit blasted. The 2.5 gm is just a coincidence. It's nothing more than PMD, not a transitional issue, experimental planchet, or error

 

I don't know the definite answer to this one. I would like to see a profile of the obverse. It looks like it could be a struck thru? Just because the reverse doesn't show much damage. At the same time I lean towards damaged cent.
Just can't make up my mind.

I know @Fred Weinberg would have a definitive answer.