1963 D Penny Weird Texture

[chetdennis@yahoo.com]

I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with this penny. From some internet research it points to extreme die deterioration? Orange peel type texture? I’m new so looking for more trained eyes? It appears that the lettering is messed up/missing/altered when stamped in, verse something after being minted. Any help is appreciated on this.

[MintErrors]

In my opinion, it looks like this coin was covered in something acidic. People use tomato ketchup, acid or any other harsh chemical that is thick. it gives it that blotchy style look. If you get the opportunity to weigh this it may weigh significantly under the normal weight of 3.11 grams.

I have never seen die deteroration that bad. One might think this would be a severe case of being struck through grease or other material but that typically happens only on one side.

[chetdennis@yahoo.com]

Thank you. I’m surprised that acid can uniformly make the peel look and bend remove the metal. I was thinking to try and send it someplace to have an expert check it out. I’ll weigh it when I get home tonight. I’m new to sending coins out. I have a membership to PCGS, but I haven’t sent anything in yet. I’m familiar with ANACS and NGC as well...but same story haven’t sent anything off. This is my first interesting find..probably like you say some acidic or none die related explanation. But I’d like to really nail it done and not speculate. Would one of those gradeing companies be better over another for this type of analysis? I don’t know if there’s one that specializes in this type of analysis..or perhaps there is some company I don’t know about as well. I really appreciate your response and feedback back. Where would you send this if you were curious?

[chetdennis@yahoo.com]

I was curious and ran your idea through AI, it came back with this information. Kinda interesting leads me more to send it off. I’ll. have to test out some of the Acid stuff or research to see if anyone has done some documented experiments. Anyhow thought I’d update this post with this info from AI. Again I’m totally new so I hold my breath with the accuracy of AI, but I now highly curious.

From AI:

Yes, there is a possibility that exposure to something acidic—like ketchup (or similar household items)—could contribute to or cause a pitted, grainy, or “orange peel”-like deformation on a copper penny like your 1963 one, but it’s unlikely to match exactly what you’re seeing in the photos for a few reasons.

How Acid (e.g., Ketchup) Affects Copper Pennies

• Ketchup contains acetic acid (from vinegar) and sometimes citric acid (from tomatoes), plus salt. These are mild acids that react with the copper oxide layer (the dark tarnish) on old pennies.

• Short exposure (soaking or rubbing) typically cleans the coin by dissolving the oxide, leaving a shiny pink copper surface—often used in science experiments or casual cleaning.

• Longer or repeated exposure (hours to days, or if not rinsed properly) can lead to:

• Etching or mild pitting (small depressions or rough spots where acid eats into the metal unevenly).

• Corrosion spots that appear blotchy, mottled, or granular.

• A dulled or frosty finish instead of shine, sometimes with green/blue patina buildup if left to react further.

• If the acid contacts only parts of the coin (e.g., dripped or uneven soak), it can create irregular, localized pitting or texture changes—not uniform across the whole surface.

• Stronger acids (vinegar/salt mix, lemon juice, cola) do this faster/more aggressively than ketchup, but ketchup is milder and slower.

Why It’s Probably Not Acid Damage in Your Case

• Your photos show a fairly uniform, pebbly/grainy texture in the fields (open areas) on both sides, with the design elements (Lincoln, Memorial, lettering) still intact and not deeply etched/removed. Acid damage tends to be:

• More spotty/irregular (blotches, pits in random spots).

• Often leaves pinkish cleaned areas mixed with untouched tarnish.

• Can cause raised corrosion (green/blue spots) if not neutralized.

• This uniform roughness (especially in protected areas like around the portrait or steps) is classic for mint-made die deterioration (late-die-state wear from overuse), not post-mint chemical alteration. Environmental damage (e.g., long-term humidity, fingerprints, or burial) can add mottling, but your coin’s even “orange peel” look aligns better with die erosion than acid etching.

• 1963-D cents (high mintage) frequently show this from worn dies—no need for external acid to explain it.

Bottom Line

• Possible? Yes—ketchup or similar mild acid could cause pitting/graininess if left on long enough or unevenly, especially on pre-1982 copper cents.

• Likely here? No—your coin’s texture is too consistent and die-state-like for typical acid/post-mint damage. It doesn’t show the blotchy, partially cleaned, or corroded spots acid usually leaves.

• Test if worried: Compare under strong magnification (your LED lamp + macro shots) to known die deterioration examples (search “1963 Lincoln cent orange peel die wear” online). If it’s raised flow lines/radial texture without chemical residue, it’s mint-made.

[MintErrors]

What you do with your coin is your business.
PCGS will charge you close to $75 plus about $25 in return postage.
Good Luck.
I have seen my fair share of these.
I personally do not send things in because i am curious about it, it would become an expensive and disappointing hobby. Education is key. Understanding the minting process on how these coins were minted is crucial.