Found this 1998 D Lincoln Cent with no Copper Clad. I noticed a couple of scratches on the coin and see no copper in the scratches. so does that mean that it is not re-plated with something else. Comments appreciated.
IMO it looks like a little copper showing on the bottom of Lincoln's bust by the initials VDB, the bottom edge on the obverse, and the folds in the suit on the arm and above the arm. I've been wrong before so wait for other opinions. I sincerely hope you have a missing layer of copper on both sides of the coin.
Interesting but I don't know. Just to let you know.. 1998 Cents are Copper Plated Cents. They are Plated not Clad. Only coins such as Quarters, Dimes and Kennedy Halves have a Clad layer.
I cannot determine what you have from your photos, but here are some resources to help you with research: Un-Plated Coins UNPLATED There are at least 3 different diagnostics suggested for the identification of genuine unplated zinc cents: 1) A genuine example should have mint luster or 2) they will be a bit dull and show microscopic flakes of copper struck into them or 3) measuring the specific gravity of the coin in question (it should equal approximately 7.18). http://www.lincolncentresource.com/Errors/Unplated_Cents.html http://www.error-ref.com/unplated-cents/ https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-c...n-the-error-collectors-clearinghouse.all.html https://conecaonline.org/unplated-lincolns/ Manipulated Outside of The Mint: Un-plated coins (Chemically or Electrolysis Stripped) http://www.error-ref.com/un-plated_coins/ UNPLATED A genuine example should have mint luster. http://www.lincolncentresource.com/Errors/Unplated_Cents.html http://www.error-ref.com/unplated-cents/ https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-c...n-the-error-collectors-clearinghouse.all.html Or they will be a bit dull and show microscopic flakes of copper struck into them. https://books.google.com/books?id=cLGd22DTeVgC&pg=PA288&lpg=PA288&dq=potter+unplated+cent&source=bl&ots=g5a9PutuFt&sig=OPUEu2qwIi9AHvskyEcxQr6pTJE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi67fb9yI7VAhXB8YMKHb-sANMQ6AEIODAD#v=onepage&q=potter unplated cent&f=false There are at least 3 different diagnostics suggested for the identification of genuine unplated zinc cents: 1) A genuine example should have mint luster or 2) They will be a bit dull and show microscopic flakes of copper struck into them or 3) Measuring the specific gravity of the coin in question (it should equal approximately 7.18.) https://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/steel_cent.html
I don't see mint luster, I believe I see a couple plating blisters, the rippled surfaces are fairly indicative of plating over roller striations. I think it is a case of a good after mint plating job.
As I've said many times: If it's dark, dull and grey - it's been de-plated If it's bright and shiny - it's been re-plated. The OP's coin is Re-plated, imo
So how can you tell the difference between "mint luster" and "bright and shiny...re-plated"? According to some references above "mint luster"will be present in authentic specimens......
Mint Luster, as on a new coin, looks very very different from shiny surfaces that have been re-plated. Hard to verbalize. I guess experience knowing what the genuine unplated zinc cents look like makes it easier for me to tell - I'm not bragging, but it's literally experience. When the copper-coated zinc cents first came out, ANACS was the only Authentication service around. They certified lots of DE-Plated Zinc Cents (dark, dull and grey) Until I got my first one from one of my sources, I didn't know the difference - and those ANACS coins are still out there, in their small white holders.
