Is My Penny a Mint Error?

Is My Penny a Mint Error?
The US Mints will sometimes make mistakes when minting pennies. One mistake is forgetting to add the copper plating to their modern zinc cents. We all have seen or found pennies in our change that look odd, like they are made of steel or are silver in color.
In this video, I will explain the 7 signs to look for to see if you have an actual mint error penny (in this case, a penny struck on an unplated zinc planchet).
Here are the 7 signs to look for:
1. Slightly underweight – 2.42g- 2.48g
a. Most copper plated zinc cents weigh 2.5g or slightly more
2. Smooth surface – no pitting
3. Some or all of original mint luster
a. Circulated cents may lose luster however
4. Fine streaks on 1 or both sides of coin
a. Most planchets have these and without copper plating should see them
5. No copper showing at all, even under a microscope or loupe
a. If any copper, likely de-plated
6. A clear die-struck design
a. Both de-plating and over-plating soften the strike (design)
7. No blisters or any other surface irregularities
a. An extra plating over a copper layer will usually show this

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[RobFindsTreasure]

Here are the 7 signs to look for:
1. Slightly underweight – 2.42g- 2.48g
a. Most copper plated zinc cents weigh 2.5g or slightly more
2. Smooth surface – no pitting
3. Some or all of original mint luster
a. Circulated cents may lose luster however
4. Fine streaks on 1 or both sides of coin
a. Most planchets have these and without copper plating should see them
5. No copper showing at all, even under a microscope or loupe
a. If any copper, likely de-plated
6. A clear die-struck design
a. Both de-plating and over-plating soften the strike (design)
7. No blisters or any other surface irregularities
a. An extra plating over a copper layer will usually show this

[texasviewpoint]

My wife and I just subscribed to your channel.
It’s been 6 months since the passing of her grandfather. We ended up with the house and all contents. We found est 350lbs of Pennie’s in gallon containers.
We’ve been learning everything we can about Pennie’s you’ve posted. Very very helpful ! We just bought magnifying glasses at Walmart and are about to get started looking in the evenings.

[thstateprospecting]

Awesome info thanks for sharing rob see you on the next one 👍🏼👊🏼

[ytelrado]

Need to weigh the one I found recently. Good info.

[andrewrossi]

Nice to know what to look for, thanks Rob 👍

[crazyjames]

Good Info! I should check one of my 1957 wheat cents for the 7 steps. Thanks Brother!

[joelrivera]

Awesome Rob i find 1979 Lincoln Penny but weith 2.6

[thomasmitchell]

I got one I found one last summer It's a 2004 unplated penny it weighs 2.43 g It has a few streaks in it The detail is extremely sharp like if it were to be missing the copper which it is and without any signs of any kind of copper on it whatsoever

[tylorevans]

thanks for the information I do believe I have a few looks like unplated zinc cents or could be someone was very mean tgat poor penny glad I picked up a small scale recently.

[Sharper]

And this penny went WAH WAH WAH all the way home 😂

[toolshed]

I have a 1985 D that looks pretty convincing that I found going through rolls, and it's weighing in at 2.3g. Not seeing any obvious tampering to the surfaces either. Wish there was a way I could show you.

[coincollectorchase]

Nice one, I need to start sending in my coins because I found a 1977 Denver cent that weighs 3.13 and it looks like a nickel clad dime planchet but then again the design of the coin and around the rim looks too good, and to me it doesn't look plated though. I opened up a roll thinking I found a steel cent then flipping it over to read the date and see 1977 D and that it doesn't stick to a magnet leaving me perplexed, is why I even collect

[Bryan-L]

This penny had roast beef this penny had none

[mandiedemaria]

I just literally found a 1986 D penny struck on an unplated zinc planchet...it weighs 2.43 g!!! How can I get this coin verified?

[ScrapFatherScrapSon]

Where can I send a picture of a penny that looks different than all of these but is a bluish silvery color

[davidking]

Used to work at ARTAZN where they are made. Finding one unplated (zinc only) would have to be the most rare for the newer pennies

[FourthDimensionalHillBilly]

How does a penny get replated? I have 2 1943 pennys that look new? Are they replated?

[Meme_Merchant]

I have a 50 something maybe 40 something Wheatie with copper edges and silver front and back and the design is sharp any ideas?

[andrewferneau]

Wait, on the copper Pennie’s, I thought that when copper brass penny’s weigh 3.11 and zinc’s weigh 2.8.

[terrybailey]

Got a 1910 no mint mark decent condition is it worth anything