2 pence "varieties"

[Sword 1,330]

Just for a bit of fun, some 2p "varieties"

This example is a 2p without it's copper coating. It has toned a little. 

Edited November 15, 2016 by Sword

[Sword 1,330]

This 2p has a brass coating instead of the usual copper. Definitely not electroplated. 

[Sword 1,330]

[Sword 1,330]

The steel penny was made by dropping the coin into concentrated Nitric Acid. The Copper gets oxidised away leaving  behind the steel penny. The reaction gives off poisonous brown NO2 fumes and the acid will even boil due to the amount of heat given out. Not something to try at home and must be done in a fume cupboard in a lab.

The brass penny was made by coating a copper penny with zinc (again a hazardous procedure requiring a lab) . Using a temperature of 800oC  or so, the copper will react with the zinc to give a nice shiny layer of brass.

[Sword 1,330]

2p coin after it has been in concentrated  nitric acid for a few minutes. The flan has become very thin but the design is still mostly there.

[Coinbuyer555 3]

altered coins are common on eBay.