1982 Pennies

The weight of the zinc coins is 2.5 grams which is lighter than the copper coins. The copper coins weigh 3.11 grams. The Red Book Guide to US coins has good comparison pictures of the small and large dates.

Use a digital scale. Either to the .1g or .01g for more accuracy. These don't cost that much, but not worth it if you're just going to use it to weigh pennies.

I picked this set up about six years ago in Kenton Ohio at the National Dog Trials. There is a huge Flea market there and that year it had rained so it was thousands of people walking around in shin deep slippery smelly mud. 6 hours later this is all I had to show for the day.

OK I've explained this many times. For one thing if you don't have a Red Book, just go to coppercoins.com. Every thing you ever wanted to know about a Lincoln Cent. The guy on that web site has two books out on just those coins.
Now here is a cheap way to tell the difference in material. Take a ice bar or pop sicle stick and place it on a pencil. Balance it so that on a flat service it is about as balanced as possible. If you use a pencil with six sides it will work esier. Now place a drop of glue at that spot on the stick. You now have a balance beam type of scale. Now take you 1982 cents and at the far end of the stick, place a pre 1982 cent. Now on the other end place a 1982 Cent. If they stay fairly balanced, you have a Copper Cent. If it will not even move, you have a post Copper Cent. You could do this the other way. Place a 1983 to present cent on the far end and when you place your 1982's on the other end, a Copper one will make it drop.
This is a lot cheaper than running out and buying a scale. However, you would have to go out and buy some ice cream.

That's awesome just carl. I do have the book Looking Through Lincoln Cents by Charles D. Daughtrey from coppercoins.com and have found it very helpful. I want some ice cream!

I too have both of his books. Not much difference in the second one though. So if anyone buys one it is just as good as the other. Also, great web site for Lincoln Cents.
Also, note that using a wooden popsicle stick will not scratch a coin as being dropped or slid accross the metal plate of a scale.
Attempt not to use very worn pre 1982 cents though. An excessively worn cent has lost weight.

[quote]Attempt not to use very worn pre 1982 cents though. An excessively worn cent has lost weight.[/quote}
You'll wear through the plating layer before you significantly reduce the weight on a Zincoln. The weight of the ENTIRE plating layer only amounts to .06 grams.

[quote]Attempt not to use very worn pre 1982 cents though. An excessively worn cent has lost weight.[/quote}
You'll wear through the plating layer before you significantly reduce the weight on a Zincoln. The weight of the ENTIRE plating layer only amounts to .06 grams.

I think you missed the PRE 1982 statement. Not to many Zincolns were made prior to 1982. If so, sure wish I had some. I've had some PRE 1982 cents that were so worn I could put 53 of them in one of those plastic tubes. The first time I did it I had to keep looking to see if the bottom fell out.

just carl, which ever one you find out you are, I thank you that you are just YOU. I mean JUST CARL.