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 Replies: 17 / Views: 698 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
I have a 2009 penny that has Abe on a log reading a book and it weighed in at 2.7g, I weighed a 1983 penny and it was also 2.7g, but the rest of my pennies weighed 3.3......what is up with that?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3078 Posts |
the cent's weight was reduced in 1982
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
Maybe this can help u
Years Material Weight
(grains) Weight
(grams)
1793-1795 ~100% copper 208 grains 13.48
1795-1857 † ~100% copper 168 grains 10.89
1856-1864 88% copper, 12% nickel (also known as NS-12) 72 grains 4.67
1864-1942 bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 48 grains 3.11
1943 zinc-coated steel (also known as 1943 steel cent) 42 grains 2.72
1944-1946 gilding metal (95% copper, 5% zinc) 48 grains 3.11
1947-1962 bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 48 grains 3.11
1962 - September 1982 gilding metal (95% copper, 5% zinc) 48 grains 3.11
October 1982 - present copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) 38.6 grains 2.5
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
22453 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
1148 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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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2959 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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Bedrock of the Community
United States
22453 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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Bedrock of the Community
United States
22453 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
1451 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
21185 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
51722 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  ( I'm no pro, it's just my humble opinion )
Searched 6.5 +/- Million Cents Since 1971
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
81480 Posts |
to the CCF!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4365 Posts |
to the CCF and 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2959 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 Hondo Boguss
06/10/2023 7:05 pm
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Moderator
United States
51722 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 ( I'm no pro, it's just my humble opinion )
Searched 6.5 +/- Million Cents Since 1971
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1451 Posts |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 698 |
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Posted 06/08/2023 10:12 pm
