Lincoln cent modifications 0

[Penny Angeloo]

Hi folks,

I am new to collecting pennies (well, not really because I've been throwing my pre-1983s into jars for years. What I mean is, I'm new to intentionally collecting pennies) and this one from my granddad's penny book which he labeled "Errors". Can anyone tell me why this 1957D Lincoln cent is silver colored? If there is a history lesson involving this type of coin, I'd love to hear it. Thanks for any and all info.

[JKK]

Replated. Common school chemistry experiment. Value is one cent.

[Penny Angeloo]

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you!

[Just Bob]

Welcome to the forum.

John is right. Your coin has been plated. We see a surprising number of these posted on the forum. It has apparently been a very popular experiment for many years.

[Coinbuf]

Yes either plated or dipped in mercury, both were popular high school chemistry experiments before regulating agencies stopped such activities. 

[powermad5000]

Aside from that, the plating itself is compromised due to further environmental damage and is showing the damage it did to the original surface. Now it is just a badly damaged cent.

[Penny Angeloo]

On 3/14/2023 at 11:03 AM, Coinbuf said:

Yes either plated or dipped in mercury, both were popular high school chemistry experiments before regulating agencies stopped such activities. 

Interesting! So my granddad collected pennies from roughly 1930-1980. Would those dates help determine which method was used? And if it is mercury, would it been dangerous to touch? That reminds me of another question: is there arsenic in copper pennies? Thanks in advance!