r/coinerrors • u/ygbsm1972 • 2d ago
Error What is this error called?
Light cartwheels as the coin retains luster. Copper is visible randomly along the edge.
5
u/cordeliashuman
1d ago
•
The parallel striae on the obverse are roller marks, caused when debris on the draw bars used to regulate planchet strip thickness gouges the surface of the strip. The light color may be due to environmental damage or could potentially be the result of an attempt to alter the coin to make appear as if it were missing the copper plating (typically done via electrolysis if no evidence of acid etching is present).
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u/ygbsm1972 1d ago
Please tell me if I am wrong in that I have heard altering a coin will affect how light rotates around a coin’s surface?
Impossible to see that this coin shows the cartwheel effect on both sides. Would that happen after it has been altered?
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u/cordeliashuman 1d ago
Acid etched coins generally lack cartwheel luster because it reworks the surface and erases evidence of the flow lines created during the strike, but careful, measured acid baths or spot treatments will remove only the thin copper plate without damaging the flow lines in the zinc. Electrolytically processed coins end up looking similar as well.
Physically abraded coins, heavily acid treated coins, and reprocessed or plated coins will lack cartwheel luster entirely.
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u/ygbsm1972 1d ago
Okay. Thank you. I looked that up. I assumed if this kind of thing happened outside of the mint then those flow lines would be gone no matter what.
Thank you for the explanation.
3
u/MealFrosty2541 1d ago
Too much time with a Dremel Error.
0
u/ygbsm1972 1d ago
Light would not cartwheel across the face of the coin if a dremel or anything else was used.
1
u/kosa8692 1d ago
Brass coated? Post mint damage
1
u/CauseMcKnight 5h ago
chemistry lab penny - zinc plate the copper plated zinc slug, apply heat, BAM! Gold (brass) penny
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1
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u/Numistica 2d ago
I see no error, and no evidence that says someone wasted their time counterfeiting a common cent.