1998 Lincoln without Copper

[Jamez]

it certainly looks like there is no copper on this cent. Is this something from the mint or post damage. I see no signs of acid damage etc..

Please enlighten me.. : )





Forgot to insert the weight. 2.46 grams

[diamond]

Cents struck on unplated planchets are difficult to authenticate in even the best of circumstances. The plating can be stripped off with reverse electroplating and probably with chemical methods. Fakes usually have a dull gray finish, and often have lots of microscopic bumps. For the genuine article look for these signs:

1. Original mint luster and bright surface.
2. Smooth surface (no roughness or bumps).
3. Slightly underweight (between .02 and .08g).
4. Often there's slight streakiness.

Even though you'll see dull, gray specimens in slabs, steer clear of them. A lot of these are fakes that got by the authenticators.

[wavysteps]

It is very hard to tell if a coin has been stripped of its copper and as a rule, in hand analysis is the best way to tell.

I do see two questionable traits on your coin however, that lead me to believe that this is post mint damage.

I believe that I see some straited lines on Lincoln's forehead. Since these are more than likely not gas bubbles, they should not be there (unless they are die gouges). I have seen similar lines on coins that have had their copper removed.

On the reverse, the letters in ONE CENT appear to be hallowed out, with the edges of those letters higher than the interior parts. Even though zinc has different properties than copper, it still "cold flows" when struck by the die. Therefore, the design elements should appear normal and similar to a copper clad struck coin.

BJ Neff