1945 Lincoln Cent Error Definition Request

[Tuebits]

I've come across a 1945 Lincoln Wheat on what I think is a dime sized copper planchet. Take a look at the photoes and let me know what you think.
Photo 1, Normal 1945 overse and coin in question: Size (diameter difference)
Photo 2, Normal 1945 height and coin in question height: question coin is thinner
Photo 3, Dime and coin in question height compared: thinner than dime
Photo 4, Dime and coin in question overse compared: diameter close??
Photo 5, Normal 1945 reverse and coin in question


Your thoughts.

Tuebits

[wavysteps]

Hi Tuebits,
Believe it or not, this is a high school chemistry trick. The Lincoln cent was shrunk by submersing it in acid.

BJ Neff

[foundinrolls]

I agree, soaking it in acid would definitely cause this and I've seen many that were the result of such science experiments in High School.

Thanks,
Bill

[diamond]

Do you know which acids are most effective in dissolving copper? I've heard phosphoric acid works well.

[foundinrolls]

None are particularly safe but nitric acid and sulfuric acid would work well. They produce unsafe gasses so don't try it at home....Sulfuric acid is extremely volatile and sucks up water in a violent reaction.

The safest thing to soak a cent in to dissolve some copper is Coca Cola....I know, it sounds weird, but it is acidic and it does dissolve the copper, over time.

[adelv_unegv]

The quote did not take -- intended to quote Mike on phosphoric acid . . .
Nope. Don't know a thing about chemistry. Would like to know if there is a certain acid/technique involved with "shrinking" Lincolns that is more likely than other acids/techniques to cause an extreme orange-peel effect. I have seen several that have the overly extreme orange-peel that I certainly believe to be acid bathed. But I never know what to tell the owner except "acid job."

[wavysteps]

The orange peel effect may have been caused by a blow torch. I have seen some Lincoln cents that have been heated this way have that characteristic appearance.

BJ Neff

[cnladue]

why oh why

do people do such things to pennys.....yikes...cause then i find em

[AgCollector]

Acid Reactivity

Little late to the discussion, but I thought I'd add that phosphoric acid or most acids will not react with copper. Nitric acid will but it's not because of the acid but rather the nitrate present, which breaks down into mostly NO2, a brown gas which as someone mentioned is not a good thing to breathe.