Is This 1985-d Lincoln Cent a Zinc Penny or Post Mint Damage

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Diplodocus, Mar 21, 2016.

  1. Diplodocus

    Diplodocus Active Member

    ZINC1985Lincoln.jpg
    In hand this 1985 D cent (found in a roll at work earlier today) is clearly not copper. How does one tell the difference between a real minting error, like an all zinc penny, and post mint damage chemical treatment or zinc plating? NOTE: penny seems really dirty

    I tried weighing it on a scale accurate just down to 1/10 of a gram; though not the most accurate scale this one weighed the same as my other penny samples from what I could tell. I am aware of zinc plating but don't know how much weight that might add.

    I'll come back later with some pics in different lighting.
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. eric6794

    eric6794 Well-Known Member

    i'll go with pmd.
     
  4. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

  5. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    Yes and yes.
     
  6. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    Environmental Damage.. show the Reverse side also :watching:
     
  7. BadThad

    BadThad Calibrated for Lincolns

  8. Gary W. Burg

    Gary W. Burg New Member

    A son just may want to buy that '85 though "free" shipping is a must.
     
  9. SuperDave

    SuperDave Free the Cartwheels!

    Leave one in your back yard for a few months. You'll get a near-duplicate of the one above, for free.
     
  10. rp3989

    rp3989 Active Member

    I found this 1983 in a coin roll as well.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Elf

    Elf New Member

  12. BadThad

    BadThad Calibrated for Lincolns

    It's a copper plated zinc coin, the plating was stripped off post-mint. PMD
     
  13. Omegaraptor

    Omegaraptor Gobrecht/Longacre Enthusiast

    That's a bit dark for a non-plated cent. Usually deplated ones look like that.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page