Water droplets and copper coins do not mix well, I mean they mix very well and that is a problem. They form verdigris which is a complex name for copper salts. Most verdigris on copper coins is a mix of copper and oxygen to form copper carbonate - CuCO3. Water from the air or direct exposure will cause oxidation and a layer of blue to green gunk.
Sure there are other forms of verdigris ( copper acetate or chloride) and they can even be distinguished by the brightness of the green but I already dropped more science than I usually do.
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| Water damaged? |
So why the chemistry lecture?
Well when I found this coin I thought it was in great shape but a few spots on the front were not a good sign. Then those spots on the back showed why this coin was dumped into circulation.
It is also surprising to find verdigris kits on sale, mostly for gardens. People want to turn copper green, what a shame. I still like the Statue of Liberty but she would look cool in shiny copper although it may be unsafe to boats and planes.
Here's the stats for the coin pictured...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1955-D
Mintage: 563,257,500
Metal: 95% Copper 5% Tin & Zinc
Value: $0.05 in F-10
Do you have a coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.
I found an odd penny with a deep crack around the rim. What could cause this? The middle part is almost fully separated from the rim. http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m275/solstar_2006/misc/pennycracking.jpg
ReplyDeleteodd penny with a deep crack around the rim. What could cause this?
ReplyDeleteThis is environmental damage.
Moisture gets between the copper and zinc layers and the zinc turns into zinc oxide then bubbles out. It will eventually oxidize the entire coin.
This is common and has no extra value.
hi i want to know the value of these star notes
ReplyDelete$1 series 2001 a03663858* au one fold down the middle
$1 2006 b05441761* au on fold down the middle
$1 20003a c01496811* good
$1 series 2001 a03663858* au one fold down the middle about $1.25
ReplyDelete$1 2006 b05441761* au on fold down the middle about $2.50
$1 20003a c01496811* good about $2.50
hello,
ReplyDeleteI have an uncirculated roll of 1969 Canadian pennies. What is the value of this?
uncirculated roll of 1969 Canadian pennies about $5.00
ReplyDeleteI have several rolls of uncirculated 1964 Canadian Pennies and several rolls of uncirculated 1964 Canadian Nickels (not extra waterline). Approximately what are they worth, and who would buy them? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteseveral rolls of uncirculated 1964 Canadian Pennies and several rolls of uncirculated 1964 Canadian Nickels (not extra waterline)
ReplyDeleteAbout $5.00 for the cents and $4.00 for the nickels.
...and who would buy them?
ReplyDeleteWhoops forgot to add only on eBay but these are so common it would not sell quickly.
Just discovered your blog, and I'm fascinated. I pick up a lot of change in Seattle. A few months ago I found a 1927S wheat penny next to a parking meter. Last week I found a 1952 silver dime on the bed of the Coinstar machine. A couple of days ago I found a 1978 dime without any reeding at all on the edge. What kind of error is that?
ReplyDelete1927S wheat penny about $1.50
ReplyDelete1952 silver dime about $2.00
1978 dime without any reeding at all on the edge this sounds like damage but it could be a Partial Collar error it would be about $10.00 but most of these are common or turns out to be damage.
I have 1943d and 1943 wheat cents that look like they are mixed with copper and silver. Also a 1944s wheat cent in ok condition. Any value?
ReplyDelete1943d and 1943 wheat cents that look like they are mixed with copper and silver.
ReplyDeleteThey should be Zinc-plated steel and about $0.35 each.
If you see copper coloring on them they are replated damaged coins with no extra value.
1944s wheat cent in ok condition about $0.10
I have a 1867-1967 bicentennial canadian penny with a bird on the back is it worth anything.
ReplyDelete1867-1967 bicentennial canadian penny about $0.03
ReplyDeleteI have a 1941 penny is it worth anything.
ReplyDeleteI have a liberty silver dollar 1928 in ok condition is it worth anything.
ReplyDelete1941 penny about $0.05 in good
ReplyDeleteliberty silver dollar 1928 in ok condition about $475.00
ReplyDeleteThat said look on the back under the word ONE if there is a small S it is worth about $40.00.
If blank then it is the original amount I stated.
Liberty silver dollar 1923 no mint mark in ok condition.
ReplyDelete1928 penny is it worth anything.
ReplyDeleteLiberty silver dollar 1923 no mint mark in ok condition about $32.00
ReplyDelete1928 penny about $0.20
ReplyDeleteI have a 1972 and 1971 silver dollar with a guy on the front and the word liberty above him.with an eagle on the back it it worth anything.
ReplyDelete1972 and 1971 silver dollar with a guy on the front and the word liberty above him.with an eagle on the back
ReplyDeleteJust $1.00 if nicke-clad copper, only 1971-S and 1972-S are silver.
They have a mint mark d on them.
ReplyDeleteThey have a mint mark d on them.
ReplyDeleteThen they are the common nickel-clad copper, just $1.00 each.
1934 Indian head nickel in good condition and a 1883 nickel in ok condition.
ReplyDelete1934 Indian head nickel in good condition about $1.25
ReplyDelete1883 nickel in ok condition about $7.00 without CENTS
1883 nickel in ok condition about $18.00 with CENTS
1918 one cent canada with georgics v die gar Rex et ind imp. In good condition and 25 cent Canada 1938 in good condition.
ReplyDeleteI have a bout a hundred pennies from 1982 and older are they worth more.
ReplyDelete1918 one cent canada good condition about $0.60
ReplyDelete25 cent Canada 1938 good condition about $6.00
a hundred pennies from 1982 and older
ReplyDeleteUnless the are 1943 or older then generally about $0.02 each, this is just metal value.
This does not include varrieties, errors, or high grades.
1919 penny in good condition.
ReplyDelete1919 penny in good condition about $0.20
ReplyDelete1935 liberty silver dollar.
ReplyDelete1935 liberty silver dollar about $31.00
ReplyDelete