1985P used as a screwdriver

[VAB2013]

Since I've gotten the Celestron I've not seen any coins that were damaged like this, probably used like a screwdriver to open something. So I decided to pop it under the scope.

I'd say that these cracks in the plating are directly related to the coin being twisted, but never really thought about this happening. It looks much like the cracked plating we sometimes see on coins that don't show any signs of being twisted but it made me wonder just how much of a little "twist" would cause this to some degree.

Anyway, that's my experiment for the day... back to searching these rolls for something good

[Petespockets55]

Nice images Viv. Very interesting.
Nice to be able to see the effects of the tension on the coin surface.

[VAB2013]

Thank you Cliff! I just never thought about or seen what twisting a coin would do to the plating. Seemed kind of interesting. There was not much on the reverse, just a little bit of something similar in the Memorial bays. Here's a pic I forgot to post earlier.

[makecents]

Very cool looking Viv!! You wouldn't think the copper would be that brittle to crack like that. I wonder if it's the brittle zinc carrying through the copper or maybe just a cold situation.

[VAB2013]

Very cool looking Viv!! You wouldn't think the copper would be that brittle to crack like that. I wonder if it's the brittle zinc carrying through the copper or maybe just a cold situation.

Thanks Jon! I don't know but it makes sense that the zinc underneath could cause the copper plating to crack. So is it the impact of the strike that makes the split plating that we normally see on Zincoln's that looks similar to this?

[makecents]

Copper itself is very malleable and zinc is not under normal temps. I'm curious about this, maybe someone with a little more knowledge will chime in.

[GrumpyEd]

LOL, I always use em to open my AC filter cover.

[VAB2013]

LOL, I always use em to open my AC filter cover.

LOL... well this might be one of yours that's made it's way to Alabama! That's after you've looked at it... right?

[jfines69]

Cool looking... Very possible the twisting could have caused the cracks... The early zincolns were in sad shape plating wise... I suspect that due to contamination in the plating tank or on the blank zinc core and heat generated during the strike caused a separation between the copper and zinc... When twisted it would pop and split at the weakest spots... The copper is only 2.5% of the total weight so the plating is really thin... If memory serves me correctly, split plating is partially related to the actual strike and also the copper being stretched to the point of breaking open!!!

[jallengomez]

That's cool Viv. Good detective work. With the plating only being 20 µ thick, it's very easy to split it.

[VAB2013]

Thank you for your helpful information Jim and Jody! The more I learn the more I realize I don't know LOL! This is such a simple thing, but seeing it made me realize I didn't understand what causes the plating to split and didn't realize it would happen to a twisted coin because I've never looked at one before

[jfines69]

Thank you for your helpful information Jim and Jody! The more I learn the more I realize I don't know LOL! This is such a simple thing, but seeing it made me realize I didn't understand what causes the plating to split and didn't realize it would happen to a twisted coin because I've never looked at one before

Strange things happen to coins... I do not think any one knows with 100% certainty what causes the anomalies!!!