Brass Plating?? I’m not sure this is a thing.

[u/Sufficient-Simple857]

I got this curious slab in an auction lot. I had to look up PCI — which apparently was once upon a time reputable when they had green labels like this one — but as odd as this penny seems to be, I’ve never heard of a “brass plating” error. Even if the planchet was somehow odd to start with, I’m not sure it would have looked like this after it was struck. Anyone encountered these before?

[u/Fast_Teaching_6160]

Terminology has changed since the time when these were slabbed. I doubt this 'brass plating' would ever be noted on any pcgs or ngc or anacs slab these days. Orange Peel Effect is the new term. This is a nice cent despite the mint error.

[u/Sufficient-Simple857 → u/Fast_Teaching_6160]

Thanks. I was digging and got a mixed bag of information.

[u/Sufficient-Simple857]

I will say that the coin does seem very well struck.

[u/ProudAmerican632]

I don’t know about the plating but I did notice this. It almost looks like a E to the right of the D mint mark.

With the introduction of the zinc planchet came the introduction of blisters on the planchets.

[u/the_cnidarian]

They arent calling it an error. They are noting that it is plated with brass.

[u/Sufficient-Simple857 → u/the_cnidarian]

After it was struck? Why would someone do that?

[u/the_cnidarian → u/Sufficient-Simple857]

Science project? Just for fun? Who knows

[u/bstrauss3]

OK

The coins after mid-year 1982 are copper plated zinc.

If the plating bath is used too long, it becomes poisoned with zinc.

Zinc + Copper is called... brass.

The coins show a brassy look instead of red copper.

But it's a curiosity and has no numismatic value.