Stupid question about penny color

[cherrypicked]

I'm digging through change picking out the old stuff and came across this discolored penny. In person most of it is the same color as a gold dollar coin. Just curious if anyone knew what would cause that kind of discoloration? I've never noticed a penny of that color before.

 

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[rochwitt]

Looks like paint of some kind.

 

[cherrypicked]

Could be. It doesn't scratch off. It's pretty so I think I'll hang on to it. :-)

 

[cherrypicked]

The pictures don't really do it justice. It's very gold.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

My wife has some plating liquid she can touch up her costume jewelry with maybe someone did that to the penny.

 

[jeff of pa]

Yes, since you confirm " It's very gold ",
I'd say it was gold plated & it is wearing off