1996 D Yellow Penny

I found one of those too, I bet its a mint defect that they wont acknowledge

 

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I've a 1976d like the one you describe

 

The problem with gold plated pennies is not just a science experiment, but sold by the dozens.

For example this ONE place (and there's many more places out there) will sell all years to you from 1930 pennies to modern, gold plated 1943 steel pennies, to 1918 quarters to modern statehood & ATB quarters, Bicentennial quarters, nickels, half dollars, presidential dollars, ASEs, Eisenhower dollars, Morgan Dollars (they actually looks nice), etc.
https://www.merrickmint.com/24k-gold-plated-coins.html?limit=64

So one should expect to see them in the wild.

 

Similarly, The Hamilton Mint issued some of its .999 silver art bars with a 24K gold plating option/variety - no added value, just some yellow flash