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 Replies: 17 / Views: 4,461 |
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Moderator
 United States
97917 Posts |
 what is the date that you have on the scale? I cannot read it (too dark) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2004 Posts |
Looks like your scale may need a small calibration adjustment. Appears to be reading .2 grams over weight. The zinc cents should weigh 2.5 grams (your scale measures 2.7 grams) and the copper cents should weigh 3.11 grams (Your scale measures 3.3 grams). Also please keep in mind that some of the 2009 cents were made of the old 95% copper alloy and will weigh 3.11 grams. Those are only found in the proof sets and satin mint sets of 2009, not the regular circulation strikes which will weigh 2.5 grams.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
25581 Posts |
It seems that I have to calibrate my scale every time I use it. That's why I bought a set of calibration weights.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Moderator
United States
97917 Posts |
Quote:
It seems that I have to calibrate my scale every time I use it. That's why I bought a set of calibration weights. your scale should have a 'zero' button, mine does (labeled with a 'T' and every time I turn it on I have to hit it with nothing on the scale and zero it out. If you have a fan blowing on it, that can change the weight too. |
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Moderator
United States
97917 Posts |
Back to the OP, it would be better if you got a scale that measures out to 2 decimal points not 1 like the one in your image.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1648 Posts |
Sounds like you got the answers that your scale appears a bit off, the 2009 if circulated and the 1983 should weigh typically 2.5g, while pre 1982 cents would weigh typically around 3.11g. However there is some variance in weights naturally that is normal once your scale is recalibrated or you get a new one that has a calibration weight to start .
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
1944 to 1946 shell casings were recycled to be made into pennies.
These shell casings were made of gilding metal, (95% copper, 5% zinc).
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
TwuistdWife, If you plan on staying in this hobby you might want to get a new scale that goes down to 0.001 grams. Also,do not forget the mint tolerance of +/- .13 grams on older cents and +/- .10 grams on newer cents. John1  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
to the CCF! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7174 Posts |
to the CCF and  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
25581 Posts |
John, how much more information do we get by weighing to the milligram? It seems that 2 decimal places is more than adequate, considering that mint tolerances were often quite loose (±130 mg / ±100 mg for your examples of Lincoln cents).
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
Edited by HondoB
06/10/2023 7:05 pm
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
The more accurate the better.There isn't much of a price difference either and it will last you a lifetime. Mint tolerance is +/- .13 grams for older cents and .10 for newer ones. Also a more accurate scale comes in handy when weighing 1943 cents and missing clad layer coins. John1 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1648 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
25581 Posts |
In none of those cases would measuring to the milligram be of benefit. A scale measuring to the milligram does nothing when there is a potential spread of either 260 mg or 200 mg in the target coin. 1943 cent? Use a magnet. Missing clad layer? Visual inspection. One milligram or even 10 will not resolve the issue.
If you insist on "The more accurate the better", get a Mettler lab balance and take it to 5 decimal places.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
Edited by HondoB
06/10/2023 8:52 pm
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Quote:
If you insist on "The more accurate the better", get a Mettler lab balance and take it to 5 decimal places. Much too expensive and I am not insisting anything. Buy whatever you want or just don't. John1 |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 4,461 |
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Posted 06/08/2023 10:28 pm
