White oxidation on penny

[Ninjafossils]

I found this penny in my yard as my first TRUE metal detecting coin find. It is a Memorial penny, but with a strange oxidation pattern. I know the copper in pennies turns them green when they oxidize, but how bout white? Is it jut a more uncommon form of oxidation or is it made of a different material?

 

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[Generic_Lad]

Different soil conditions and the climate can change what copper looks like underground.

Yours is just an unusual pattern of oxidation, caused by any number of things (what your coin was next to, your soil condition, moisture, heat, cold, etc.).

Copper can end up out of the ground looking nearly perfect (I've seen Indian Heads look a solid brown, just like you'd buy a worn Indian at a coin shop) or a pitted mess, or a crusty green thing that is barely recognizable as a coin.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Like Generic_Lad said, it depends on a variety of factors and there sure are a lot of them out there. Congratulations on your first coin find while metal detecting, Ninjafossils! In spite of what you find later you'll never forget this one. Even though my first was a just clad dime I have saved it in a specially marked coin 'flip' to remember that special occasion.