Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 6/11/2008

Question
i have a 1995 pennie that dosent look to be copper . is it real , if so is it worth any thing?

Answer
Mike, I can't tell without seeing it.  If it is silver colored, it is probably a cent that had the copper plating removed (or perhaps was never plated in the first place).  After 1982, U.S. cents have been copper plated zinc.  Zinc is a silver colored metal, so that if the copper plating is not on the coin, then it will appear silver colored.  If the plating was removed, there is no additional value.  There might be some if the piece was not plated originally.  You should be able to tell, because there should be some evidence if the plating was removed.  

Go to www.ebay.com and do a search for unplated cent or unplated penny.  You should find a couple.  One of the pieces that was announced as an unplated cent looks from the picture to me to be one that had the plating removed as you can still see the copper plating on some of the cent.  I don't think there is really a great premium even if you have a piece that came out of the mint unplated.  Jim Lawniczak