Question about silver penny

[Dano19606-migration]

I posted this in the water cooler forum, but maybe this would be the better place:

 

I'm not sure how many non-collectors you get in here asking stupid questions, but here's another one.

 

My wife found a 2007 penny that seems to be made of zinc. It's 99% silver-colored, with small copper flecks here and there that are barely visible, and it's a good deal lighter than other pennies (at least to the touch). What do we have here? Is it worth anything?

[Dwaine]

You have a cent that is missing it's top copper layer. Not sure of it's worth.

[bsshog40]

Can you post a pic? Would be interesting to see.

[Dano19606-migration]

I can try to scan it. I'm a troglodyte without a digital camera or camera cell phone.

[robec1347]

Does it look like this. If so then it is what is call and "unplated" cent. They range in price.

 

 

[Dano19606-migration]

This is the best I could do with my scanner. It looks almost entirely silver to the naked eye

 

[Dano19606-migration]

I'm gonna scan it again next to a regular penny. I'll post it shortly.

[Dano19606-migration]

Here's a slightly better scan

 

[bsshog40]

I'm not sure how the plating is done to the Lincolns. This looks like a over-spray???

[Dano19606-migration]

I'm not sure how the plating is done to the Lincolns. This looks like a over-spray???

over-spray?

[bsshog40]

Better wait for others to chime in here Dano. I don't know how lincolns are plated and this looks to have some copper plating on it from what I can tell. There are others here that are more knowledgeable in this area than I am.

[robec1347]

Here is a link to a web site that sells various mint errors. Towards the bottom of the page is a listing and description of unplated cents.

Link

 

 

[ant]

that is neat! thanks for sharring

 

[Dano19606-migration]

Great link. Thanks a lot!

[moovyz]

Book 'em, Dano! Nice find!

[Conder101]

Well it doesn't look like it has had the copper plating removed which is good. That leaves two possibilities. Either it did not have the copper plating (good) or it has been lightly plated after it was struck (bad). Pictures will not be good enough to determine which case it is, it would have to be examined in person by an expert. I do think there is a good chance you have a genuine non-plated cent.

 

By the way if you really think it is significantly lighter in weight than a regular 2007 cent then have it weighed just to make sure it is NOT struck on a foreign planchet or something.because the missing plating would not change the weight of the cent significantly. (.05 grams)