Found in change

[kenb]

I couldn't find the original thread so I've started a new one. My 16 year old step son found this 1990 penny in his register draw at work, anyone ever seen this happen before?. Is it possible the copper was removed from this, or has someone stamped there own penny. any ideas??

 

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[OnionRings]

I think it's a real penny it just missed the copper coating in the minting process. I think that it's worth keeping it could be be worth something.

I guess someone could have removed the copper, but I wouldn't know how that was done maybe someone here knows.

Onion

 

[Silverseeker]

I had that happen to a penny when I tumbled it. Out of hundreds of pennies, only one came out looking that way. Perhaps that's what happened.

 

[kenb]

Thanks for the input Onion, it is identical to the 2000 coin next to it. No signs of abrasions or acid marks, it is slightly concaved on back but very slightly. maybee somebody can figure it out, thanks again

 

[kenb]

Thanks Silverseeker, dose tumbling coins leave any evidence on the coin? like i posted earlier this coin appears perfect, short of circulation wear

 

[jeff of pa]

It may have also been burned off

 

[kenb]

Burned off with out damage too the coin? it is a little concaved which could happen from heat I guess. The finish is completely gone. Thanks for the reply Jeff.
kenb

 

[dgaughan]

good job john we have to get him out to the beach ken or maybe the library. once he finds a wheaty penny or a silver coin he's going to be hooked

 

[TrpnBils]

If somebody removed the copper they probably didn't do it through a chemical process. From what I know anything that will remove the copper will also destroy the zinc too. Try it out sometime - if you file a little nick into the edge of a penny and stick it in some HCl overnight, the zinc will all be gone and it'll leave a shiny copper almost foil-like shell intact.

 

[gsmeiers]

Sounds like an experiment! Where can I get some of the HCl ?

 

[TrpnBils]

that's the thing, I don't really know...lol. I've only ever done it in the classroom, so my advice to you is to make friends with a chemist.

I do know that some gold prospectors use something called Muriatic Acid to wash ore with. Although I've never looked personally, it's supposedly available at hardware stores. Muriatic acid is diluted HCl, so that may work.

If you try it, it's best to make two small nicks in opposite edges of the penny. Otherwise you have to make one BIG nick in one side. After a few hours, take something (NOT your finger, or any other appendage for that matter) and tap the penny a little. If something that looks like dirt falls out of it, it's working. I know when we did ours we left it for 24 hours so it could take awhile.

 

[battlecat]

Muriatic acid Is used in swimming pools, also good at eating the oil off concrete driveways

 

[gsmeiers]

Thanks for the info.... I've always liked playing with chemicals...

 

[kenb]

I you like playing with chemicals check out this site!!!!
http://www.unitednuclear.com/supplies.htm
that didn't work write, you'll have to type in address. I've purchased a few items from this place and made some VERY interesting things