Golden Cent

[Tabfry]

Hello all! I came across this '03 cent that is quite golden in color. I'm showing a new '08 for contrast. I haven't weighed the '03 yet but will do so at work tomorrow when I can use some very sensitive scales. In the meantime...any thoughts?

 

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[dfx willy]

i have to dig around i think i found a 1983 like that. willy.

 

[Montana Jim]

High school chemistry project...

 

[jlb783]

It could be an error, sometimes they somehow get brass plated instead of copper. They are worth about $20-$50.

 

[Montana Jim]

http://www.coinsite.com/content/cdanswers/cdarchive46.asp

Scroll down.

 

[Tabfry]

I forgot the coins at home today, so no weighing until tomorrow. I figure it was likely just plated, but thought I'd toss it on here for some comments/ideas.

Thanks!

 

[Detectingfreak]

High school chemistry project definatly. I just gratuated high school last june and for my material science class we learned how to die pennies. We would die one to look like gold and one to look like silver. Also, we learned how to make silver rings/copper rings.
So yeah it is definatly a science project I know from experience! Plus it was fun!

 

[prospectorYorkPA]

Brass plated strikes are known for 1983, 85-D, 97, 97-D and 98. Apparently caused by zinc in the outer layer instead of just the copper coating. Your year doesn't fall into any of the known, maybe you found a new one or it's, as mentioned, done outside the mint.

 

[Tabfry]

Thanks again for the thoughts. In comparing weights of this and a known 'normal' cent, they are near identical. The gold colored cent is about .002 grams lighter than the control. Fun to find in a roll none-the-less. I may hold onto it just as a conversation piece.