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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,623 |
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New Member
United States
24 Posts |
When I put my 1983D penny on my digital food scale it starts out at 2.0g then jumps to 3.0g. Once it went to 4.0g. Is there a sure way to tell if this is copper or zinc? And what kind of scale should I use? I included pics... Thank you for your response, Gail   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1609 Posts |
It doesn't sound like your scale is very accurate. Maybe try resetting / recallibrating it?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74915 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Your digital FOOD scale sounds set for only grams, no tenths, correct? If that be the case, it will round up a 2.6gr to 3.0, and round down a 3.11 to 3.0. Get a better, more accurate scale calibrated to tenths at least, hundredths is better. That said, your pix aren't real clear nor are true color. By what is shown, the refractive quality looks like a copper planchet, BUT, I do see what appears to be "Plating bubbles" which only occur on zinc planchet coins. Jury's still out...   Edited by Crazyb0
08/12/2017 1:20 pm
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Moderator
 United States
34430 Posts |
Quote:
Is there a sure way to tell if this is copper or zinc? I agree that weighing on a more precise scale would help you to know. Otherwise, you could resort to a more destructive method. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Valued Member
United States
186 Posts |
If you flick and flip a copper cent into the air with your thumbnail it should make a ringing noise. Doing the same thing with a zinc cent makes a "thud" or no ringing noise. It may not be as safe as a scale but it's reliable. That's what I do to all 1983 cents I have, try to ring it, because I don't have a good scale.
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Another way to measure is the popsickle stick teetertotter. Glue a copper to one side, determine center(mark it) with copper cent on other side, zinc won't move it, copper will balance.
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New Member
 United States
24 Posts |
Thank you everyone. The more I examined it, even if it looks copper to me, when I compare it to other pennies, I believe it's zinc. Again, Thank you for all your help! I'm learning something new everyday with this community!
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,623 |
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Posted 08/12/2017 1:18 pm
