Single-sided Woodies

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Sorry, Doug, but you need to go one step further. Unless you can prove me wrong, the color difference of the wood grain shows up only as the metal tones (oxidizes). What you have done is to remove all of the exposed (oxidized) surface. The grain will not show up until the surfaces re-oxidize - IMHO even on a 2 sided grained coin. Now, after some period of time and the cleaned area starts to brown again and the grain does not return, then you have proved that it is environmental. If the lines return, then the lines are on the coin.

Just guessing at this stage, but my money says this one is environmental. Those lines are too uniform.

 

I agree with RLM and how could anyone possibly believe that this coin has natural wood graining...

 

I don't mean to be a skeptic, but what woodgrain?

I also agree with RLM in that the coin needs to re-tone a bit to be sure it doesn't come back.

I would try an earlier Lincoln or IHC. I'll see if I can scrounge one up.

 

p.s. I was under the impression (perhaps mistakenly) that woodgrain was in the coin not on the coin. I am open to alternatives, however, and I love the experimentation!

 

Why in the world would you go and clean a 1977 LMC? You've now ruined all numismatic value!

I've got to agree with Thad and others on this one. I've pulled numerous cents with wood grained toning only on one side and also some with the toning on both sides, but with it being almost imperceptible on one side. Also, my first inclination was along the same lines as RLM in that I would think a good dip could remove that toning on almost any woody. I could be proven wrong though and I think I might perform some of my own experiments when I get home.

 

I prize my woodies. I do not want to ruin any of them, but yes, I am saying that you can do the same thing to a genuine woodie. However, if yours were the case, then they would show up on a new, full red coin fresh out of the mint. How many have you seen? I have seen none.

As for your theory, I happen to think it is probably pretty close, although probably thousands to one rather than billions to one.

 

I know these were prevalent in the 20s-30s, but for some reason I come across a lot of them in the 1980 and 1981 cents and I have searched numerous BU rolls of those and have never found a red one.

 

I thought of doing the same thing, but after 80 to 120 years, there is only one way to prove that those coins have not begun to oxidize. Somehow I do not think the owners would be open to that suggestion. There is only one way to settle this. Until I or someone else comes up with a sacrificial lamb, the closest we can come to settling is for your 1977 to regain its stripes and I don't think it will.

If you can believe me, try this coin. When I got it, it looked just like your 1977 (bright CLEAR red from a very harsh cleaning). There was no sign of wood grain. I now wish I had taken a picture of it as an original, but I didn't. Anyway, this is what it looks like today. BTW, it has been stored in a flip (non-PVC).

 

Fun Find

Now we're having some fun.

Every Woodie I've even encountered was a woodie through and through.

Both sides affected. But they were all pulled from circulation.

Perhaps coins stored in folders/holders have distinctive/different presentation?

 

I read somewhere that a certain kind of rinse was used on Philadelphia cents of 1980 and 1981. Nearly every single one I have seen in BU from that era is bright, as opposed to the warmer colors seen on other copper Lincoln cents.

 

I don't think cleaning will prove anything. Cleaning generally damages a coin by making the microscopic surface more flat. Wouldn't it do the same here.
Also it's a possibility that the woodie effect on the other side hasn't fully progressed yet.

My two cents
this is out of my league so please dnt attack me!

 

More flat? What does flat have to do with it. My theory is that 90% copper oxidizes to a different color that 97% copper. The difference in composition is a proven fact. The oxide (or whatever -ide it is) is my idea. Apparently Doug has a different idea - I suspect just a different composition being a different color.

 

The real test is to see if the lines retone and show up. I hope you rinsed it thoroughly so the surfaces are nice and clean. Do you have it sitting in a window sill?

 

I have a question about the woodies. Is it possible to have a woodie nickel? I found one today that has the lines going across the obverse and the lines go the opposite direction on the reverse as has been pointed out in other threads. I'll do my best to get some photos if it's even a possibility.