Unplated Cents?

[Guest]

I have 2 pennies, 1988 D and 1989(cant make out the mint mark). Ive had these for a bit now and still dont know if they are science projects or unplated cents? The 88 is very silvery shiny and slick with a few specs of copper, sounds a little off like lower pitch thud. The 89 is very smooth and looks like a silver charcoal color sorta looks like a darker steel cent. Also under the date looks like something exploded there with little hint of copper color. Both weigh the reg 2.5g. Please take a look and let me know if I got something good, Thanks!

[Antiquity]

'89 just looks like damage with some zinc rot, the '88 might be plated, wait for the experts though.

[CmonMang]

I have plated steels doesnt look like that. But could be plating i dunno looks like copper was stripped off it. Do u see the copper specs on the 88? Those are on the surface of the penny its like its a part of the cent and doesnt look like u can peel it off also connected to the silver color. My 1st reaction I was stoked, I was thinking did I just find a silver penny LOL.

[Maineman750]

Environmental damage on the first and the second is plated.

[willbrooks]

I agree with Roger. The first is corroded and the 1988 is plated. You can see in some spots the plating is coming off showing the natural color underneath.

[CmonMang]

Thanks! I figured it was PMD and tossed to the side just wanted to get reassurance because I was going through the forums and reading some threads on it and saw what ppl were selling on ebay, kinda funny.

[CmonMang]

Weird, why would someone wanna plate and 88D :/

[willbrooks]

Weird, why would someone wanna plate and 88D :/

Science project.

[jcuve]

There are probably more reasons people plate coins then we could list. Unfortunately, plated coins, in particular the reprocessed '43s, often take on different surface characteristics. In this case, the '88-D is far too glossy. Probably over weight as well. Unplated cents are as rare as being struck on a dime planchet; neither are going to be easy to find.

[lucas_billy@yahoo.com]

i never seen a cent like that b4....