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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,196 |
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Moderator
 United States
188770 Posts |
You can also make a balance with a Popsicle stick and a round pencil. I actually made one with some Lego pieces. Works fairly well.  |
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Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
Now I have to go to the store and buy Popsicles and legos!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10038 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
I used an emery board, stir stick w/ a copper glued on one end for four years....just say I'm , "frugal!"
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Quote:
You can also make a balance with a Popsicle stick and a round pencil. I use a round tooth pic instead of a pencil . No need to go out and buy a scale just for the 82's .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
I do a "coin toss" flip. Copper rings, zinc goes thud. It's a lot easier to distinguish (for me) than throwing the coins at a table, and your fingernail is too soft to mark the coin.
Obviously don't do this with MS coins, but if you're stacking circulated coppers, what's the harm?
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Moderator
United States
188770 Posts |
Quote:
I used an emery board, stir stick w/ a copper glued on one end for four years....just say I'm , "frugal!" That works. Quote:
Obviously don't do this with MS coins, but if you're stacking circulated coppers, what's the harm? Good point. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12839 Posts |
Ring test here all the way. Fastest and the most frugal of all (not that toothpicks, emery boards, and pencils are particularly expensive, but you know, technically)....
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19960 Posts |
I like a glass table, when dropped on it the difference is like a church bell versus dropping a brick on grass. It's so easy to hear the difference! I also sometimes use the coin flip method, copper makes a distinct high-pitched PING while it's in the air, zinc doesn't.
With experience, you'll eventually be able to spot them by eye. I have a 99% accuracy rate just quickly looking at the strike and patina (color). My first step when searching is to create one pile and separate out the copper. Makes searching WAY easier when you know what to look for based on if it's a copper or zinc coin. GOOD LUCK!
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Celtic Knot, Technically....  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12839 Posts |
@Crazyb0  And I concur with BadThad. I am not advanced enough to ID them by sight but I can definitely hear the difference between Cu and Zn whether it be dropping or flipping (and yes, that ringing as it spins in the air is quite distinct). Edited by CelticKnot
12/22/2017 12:01 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6514 Posts |
Quote:
I actually made one with some Lego pieces. Works fairly well. When I open this thread there is an add for Legos. [edit] Of course now the Lego add is gone. Check out my counterstamped Lincoln Cent collection: http://goccf.com/t/303507Edited by chafemasterj
12/22/2017 07:59 am
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Moderator
United States
188770 Posts |
Quote:
My first step when searching is to create one pile and separate out the copper. Makes searching WAY easier when you know what to look for based on if it's a copper or zinc coin. Agreed. Quote:
When I open this thread there is an add for Legos.
[edit]
Of course now the Lego add is gone. Google knows all.  |
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Valued Member
United States
64 Posts |
Very useful information. I was wondering if you could do a specific gravity test to not only determine copper from copper zinc, but the silvers from silver plated fakes like my 1873S Trade dollar. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Yes you could do a specific gravity test to separate the copper ones from the zinc, but since the first step in doing a specific gravity test is to weigh the item and that gives you your answer right there, there is no reason to do the rest of the specific gravity test.
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Posted 12/21/2017 11:44 am
