Cause of Grainy Lincoln Cents

I've found a couple of pennies that look similar to this. I've actually held on to this penny for a few years thinking that it must be some sort of error, but I'm guessing it's common to find Lincoln cents that look like this 98.

The scanned pictures actually make the date look more clear than using my magnifier.

So, any way, I was just curious and wanted to ask what causes this type of graininess. It leaves the entire image on the coin a bit distorted. is this a "strike through"? Is it just bubbling in the lamination?


Thank you.

 

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Copper plated Zinc Cents are really bad in staying held together.
I have seen many Cents like yours when I go to the beach to Metal Detect.
Environmental Damage is what causes that appearance. Exposure to the elements. Such as Saltwater can bubble up the plating.
IMHO

 

That very well could be the issue, I live near a beach. I spend a lot of time there too. I haven't found any coins on the beach but I haven't taken my metal detector out, which I keep saying I'm going to do after a storm rolls through. People do find old gold coins from time to time. That would be a great find!

Thank you for your response.

 

I love metal detecting! I only detect NYC beaches. I should visit Florida one day.
This was a good day for me -

And another -

 

Awesome collection Paddyman98! That really inspired me to do some beach searching!

A few years ago I visited an old mining town in Arizona. I so wanted to do some metal detecting there, but it wasn't allowed.

You even found a little frying pan! That's so neat. Good work!

 

Haha yes. Little toy pan.. I keep the weird stuff like that!
If you type Metal Detecting in the search box click on Search Titles only then unclick Search this Forum only and put my name you will see many threads I have created on my Detecting Hunts!

Thanks! Make sure to like my posts! Please

 

Awesome paddyman98, (I'd keep the little treasures I find like that too!) Can't wait to get out to the beach and do some searching here too! Checking out your posts now.

 

Ketchup will turn them pink. This one looks like it was in an acid like that of some kind.

 

Surface damage after the cent was in circulation.

 

I've never tried to put pennies in ketchup. I'll have to give it a try and see how it turns out.

Thank you eddiespin

 

supposedly a baking soda and water paste afterwards gets the pink out. Just finish by rinsing in warm water.

of course you would not want to do that with any one that was valuable.

 

You're very welcome, @bettann. I think they taste a lot better with mustard on them, anyway.

Really, ketchup will just ruin them. Any acid will. Just so you know...