Expert: PAPAJACK - 3/1/2008

Question
PAPAJACK - I was recently looking at my bowl of change in anticipation of finding a few quarters for a cup of coffee. I noticed, sitting in there amongst the change, that there was a game token in there as well. I fished it out and it turned out to be an off-colored, gold-tinted color penny. Visually one can tell right away that it is a different color than the usual copper, zinc, and darkened and worn pennies. It is an all-American Lincoln penny with the year of 1982. From prior knowledge and some current reading, I see that there was a transition in alloys between '82 and '83. My question is simple: why is my penny a gold-yellow color? Apparently zinc can be made/oxidized into various colors (I could be misinterpreting). Why is it like this? Have you heard of anything similar? And the obvious question being is it worth anything? I thank you for any attempt to answer this question. - Jeffrey

Answer
Hello again Jeffrey,                            

Here is one Member/Dealer I found right away. I need a few more zip codes and cities to look closer for you, there were quite a few Members in both states, and just let me know.

Historic Real Treasures
Agustin A. Garcia Barneche
772 E Walker Rd
Great Falls, VA 22066-2655
Phone: (703) 757-7313
Specialties Ancients, Colonials, Online Auctions and Services  
E-mail: realtreasuresbay@aol.com
Website: http://www.historicrealtreasures.com  


Good Luck PapaJack
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Hello Jeffrey,                          

Even the zinc cents made since 1982 are copper covered. The post 1982 cents weigh less than the pre 1982 cents but the copper on them will react the same way.

I have heard of a few ways of this happening:
There was always the possibility of an off-metal coin blank getting stuck in the bins the mint used and ending up in another production run. (This error would have to be confirmed by an expert.)

Get a good magnifier and a light source. Examine the edge on the coin at all angles.

If the surface is kind of rough and pitted it sounds like it may have been in an acid bath.
Also someone may have plated the coin. Usually an error leaving the mint is fairly well struck.

Also copper is reactive to contaminants in the air. Depending on where it was stored over time they take on many different tones of color. The natural on is changing from a new reddish copper to a deep chocolate brown with time.

If you still suspect it to be a genuine error it needs to be checked by a specialist. If it is a genuine error, it will have numismatic value. But it cannot be estimated without a knowledgeable coin person seeing it.

The Item would have to be seen to be accurately appraised. A photograph would not really help with this. If you write back with the general location (nearest large cities) and telephone area code or codes and some zip codes in your area, I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy.

Or there is help at most large coin shows. There are representatives from the grading services. ANACS service even some smaller shows. They give free consultations on coins at their table. If you need to find a show or an error coin authenticator in your area just write me again.

Again Most likely the copper has been contaminated the coin has a plating or residue on it. This renders then worthless to true coin collectors. Only if the coins had come from the U.S. Mint this way would they be valuable.

I am attaching a photo a collector sent me of a similar question.

I hope this information Helps.

Good Luck