Expert: PAPAJACK - 10/21/2008

Question
I get a one cent coin that does not have the obverse , I just can see the zinc core. The coin looks in good condition no traces of acids or abrasives on the zinc.  can that be possible?

Answer
Hello Gabriel,               

It may be possible but the coin should exhibit other defects as well.
Is the outside diameter still smooth?
Does the Outside edge still protrude upward into the front and back fields of the coin on both sides?

The US Cent is not a laminated coin it is copper plated zinc. It is not made in layers, the zinc is machined, has the burrs removed polished, washed and electroplated with a copper/zinc alloy.

If the copper is removed you see the Whitish-Silverish Zinc metal.

There is no way to plate only one side of the coin with the copper. The one you have was likely altered after it left the mint. It should weigh 2.5 grams.   

Also the features are missing from the Heads side of the coin. The back part cannot be properly struck if the front die did not hit the coin. So if the plating was missing at the time it was made at the US Mint the image would still be present.

I do get a lot of questions about these one sided coins so it seems cutting a coin in two is becoming more common.

I hope this Information helps.

Good Luck