I have a very unusual 1992 penny in which Lincoln seems smaller.

Lincoln not only appears smaller, but his nose has a different shape than my other 1992 pennies. Also, the penny is smaller in diameter and is thinner, yet it weighs slightly more ...3.86 grams to 3.80 grams. I am going to try to add a few jpegs for your opinions.

 

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He got plastic surgery

 

It appears you have some kind of protective covering on the tweezers - don't bother!

 

But, but it's backwards tape.

 

The weight it is corect in the parameters. What you has it is the change of the design. Billions of those coins could be find. they chage the Observe design (in fact just adjust the relief) for longer life of the Dies. Those coins are not considerated transition coins where you want to go. Sorry dissapointed you.

 

It’s zinc. You can’t expect much from these zinc cents.

 

Sorry the smaller Lincoln actually is 2.51 grams versus 2.46 for the other..
My bad...

 

Is it on a dime Planchet?

 

Is it on a dime planchet?

 

Okay, 2.51 and 2.46 are well within tolerance for weight (I think the tolerance for zinc cents is +/- 0.13g).

From your photos, it looks to me like the diameter and thickness are well within tolerance, too. The different features you're seeing are likely just a matter of different die state and strike force.

This can't possibly be struck on a dime planchet. It would look completely different, it would weigh much less (around 2.268g), it would be struck more weakly, and parts of the design would be missing around the edges. You'd also see the clad-sandwich stripe around the rim.

You've got a normal cent, well within normal tolerances.

 

What stands out for me is the flat area in the rear part of the forehead, below "we". I'm not sure if this could be caused by "adjust(ing) the relief" as silviosi said above but it does result in two slightly different images.

 

Could it be a silver dime proof planchet ? They are 2.50 grams.
It feels like a dime...

 

No. Not possible. Again, the strike would be weak, especially around the edges. And what would make it the same color as a copper-coated cent?

 

Spray paint!

 

Struck on softer silver?
Copper Cladding?

 

No, absolutely no chance. Where would a copper clad silver planchet come from? It is a completely normal copper plated zinc cent.

 

Every year since 1992, proof Roosevelt dimes issued by the U.S. Mint in special Silver Proof Sets have been struck from .900 fine silver.

 

Does anyone else have a small Lincoln cent from 1992?

 

It’s nothing special.