Help!? Why does this 1983 Lincoln cent look like this? Mint mark unknown, if any at all.

Hello. Newbie single momma here.

Also, is this 1983 Lincoln cent considered an error on the obverse side locate almost where the mint mark should be, but shows an “O” marking above & below the date... hard to make out from the pic, but the “O” marking is also on his neck...? If so, is it worth any value? This is my first post to any coin question I’ve had pertaining to my small collection of coins gathered. So please be kind. Until today, I’ve not checked into any of my coins history or anything. So this is ultimately gonna become a new hobby for me thanks to this pandemic and time at home. Lol I’ve always had interest in searching for errors on coins, but didn’t realize it was a “thing” and there are collectors like me.... only with more education about them. I dont know what you all use to post such great quality pics... so bare with mine. I tried my best. Any, and all help is appreciated. No matter the outcome of this penny’s worth, it’s what I like to collect and have held onto it for quite some time.

 

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Welcome to CT. I think what you have is deterioration of the coating. Some other experts will chime in. But, these are fun to find and save even if they have no added value. I keep them.

 

First of all, Welcome aboard !! Now I'm not quit sure what I'm seeing . Sorry .
One thing I recommend is to download all Pics then click ENLARGE above the files which will enlarge all files . It will show all pics enlarged .
Also, try to edit and crop Please .
Thanks and GL .

 

Search the threads for coin photography and you will get all kinds of help.

 

That is environmental damage.
Yes the coin suffers also from split plating and plating blisters.
http://www.error-ref.com/?s=Plating+blisters
There is nothing wrong with keeping a few here and there for educational purposes. But I would keep them away from any other zLincolns.

 

Looks like zinc deterioration, in my opinion. This is quite a pervasive issue on post-1982 Lincoln Memorial Cents.

 

Kind of like this...

Since the middle of 1982, American cents are struck on blanks that are zinc covered with a thin coating of copper. Any scratch or slight weakness in the copper layer allows the zinc underneath to decompose.

 

Have you tried clicking on the image code (in blue)? It should enlarge.

 

Yea, what do I look like an idiot ?

 

I agree with plating issue. Only worth 1 Cent.

Welcome to CoinTalk

 

I can't tell. Someone turned the lights off.

 

Looks like a common zinc plating issue. Not an error but a spender or you can keep as a reference. Welcome to CT.

 

Using a MacBook laptop, clicking on the photo code only opens the photo in a separate tab for me. Does little to no good for my examination of the photo.

 

Welcome to CT @Kelly Bowles. By your statement, "So please be kind." it would seem you've read posts here before. (LOL). As mentioned, it appears to be a plating issue, with cents being minted on zinc with a thin copper coating since late 1982, it is a common thing to see anomalies on them. Several sites list such anomalies so you can compare yours to theirs and get answers to your questions, but please don't hesitate to post your questions here, with photos.
Speaking of photos; here is my standard statement.
You should always post in focus FULL IMAGE photos (after you upload your photo, two buttons appear: Thumbnail and Full Image, click Full Image and your photo appears full size on your post and is easily enlarged by clicking on it). Photograph coins on neutral backgrounds like black, grey, or white. Crop out superfluous background so just the coin shows, and post photos with correct orientation so members don't have to turn their computer in some awkward fashion to view it properly. While it isn’t always necessary, it is nice to show both the obverse and reverse, even if your question is just about one side. Members can often give more valuable information having both sides to evaluate. Add close ups of areas you have questions about and make your questions as definitive as possible so we know what you are asking for. And try to have the best lighting possible to show the most favorable photo of the coin. Hope this helps in the future. Good luck.

 

Don't ask questions if you are not prepared for answers. True story, my younger daughter had a math teacher in 7th grade that EVERYONE hated. One day while writing on the board, she asked, without looking around, "Do all of you hate me" and was greeted with a resounding chorus of "Yes" from the class.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any of those newfangled gizmos. I just have a crummy old desktop PC, and I get the enlargements just fine.