It's been de-plated. Here's the basic rule: If it's Bright and Shiny, it's been re-plated. If it's Dark/Dull, and Grey, it's been de-plated. The genuine coins struck without copper plating should have luster, and not be 'flat' or have a lack of luster.
This coin I got it out of a roll in the early nineties, I think, it had a shine to it, as soon as I seen that I picked it up held it in my hand for about 30 seconds looking at it. it's when it started to actually change color to that flat aluminum like color you see. Only it was shiny and immediately started to oxidize. Now it is pitted as you see and I have it in a container with an oxygen absorber. It's real I swear on my dead father's grave.
When you say it's 'real', it's a real Lincoln Cent. It's not a real error - the copper plating has been removed
Zinc is garbage and it reacts to everything. Air, water, gases, acids, chemicals. I dig these up all the time, and I just put them in the coin accepter at the store when I am buying stuff.
It's your coin, and you're welcome to believe it is whatever you think it is. Sorry, that in trying to help with real info on the coin, I've met you're expectations. Good to know that hearing about your coin over a 15 year period, from different collectors or dealers, hasn't changed your mind.
Actually I believe there's another guy out there with the same 1985 D penny he's more than welcome to contact me. If he runs across this.
