Question About Weighing Coins - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,018
houston_guy462004 Valued Member United States 235 Posts	Posted 12/27/2006 4:35 pm I got a digital scale for Christmas. When weighing coins to check authenticity, how much should be allowed for wear? I weighed a Morgan dollar in G-4, and my scale showed 25.7 grams? Does that sound right? Incidentally, if matter can neither be created nor destroyed, where does the metal on coins go when they are worn down? Report this Post to the Staff

gxseries Pillar of the Community Australia 3831 Posts	Posted 12/27/2006 5:42 pm Don't forget the inaccuracy of the scale. 25.7grams could mean it is 25.74 or 25.65g or depending on how accurate the scale is, it could be a whole 0.1gram off. For this very reason, this is why one should get a 0.01gram scale. My partial coin collection http://www.omnicoin.com/collection/gxseries My numismatics articles and collection: http://www.gxseries.com/numis/numis_index.htm Regularly updated at least once a month. Report this Post to the Staff
DaBoz Valued Member United States 80 Posts	Posted 12/27/2006 5:57 pm incidentally, if matter can neither be created nor destroyed, where does the metal on coins go when they are worn down? It is just like sanding a piece of wood smooth, except much slower and the sandpaper much finer, it ends up in your pocket and on your hands. It is just too small an amount to see. Report this Post to the Staff
Morgan Fred Rest in Peace United States 2684 Posts	Posted 12/27/2006 8:56 pm A Mint State Morgan will weigh 412.5 grains (26.7300 grams). A well worn G-04 Morgan I have weighs 398.2 grains (25.803 grams). A counterfeit Morgan I have weighs 380.0 grains (24.624 grams). For detecting counterfeits, anything lower than 25.800 grams or heavier than 26.730 grams would be suspect; however, a counterfeit can be in the correct weight range if enough lead is mixed in with the alloy, but its luster would appear, well, leaden. I suspect your scale needs a little calibration. High thee down to your local pharmacy and see if they have any calibration weights you might borrow (or buy). Don't bother with the Postal Service; they measure in ounces. Alternatively, calibration weights may be found online for purchase; something to keep on hand. All that missing metal on worn coins is on peoples' fingers which are then wiped on their pants which is then washed out in the laundry. Gold miners burn their clothes to extract the gold transferred from their hands during mining operations. Just don't wear any designer jeans into a gold mine. Report this Post to the Staff
Silver Dollar Valued Member United States 287 Posts	Posted 12/27/2006 9:10 pm Fred, Thanks for the tip on where to look for some calibration weights. I will have to check with my local pharmacy. I am having a hard time finding some. Report this Post to the Staff
texasmick Pillar of the Community United States 751 Posts	Posted 12/28/2006 10:01 pm OT quote: Incidentally, if matter can neither be created nor destroyed.... This premise is incorrect. Matter can be "destroyed" if it is transformed into energy. Stars do it constantly. Report this Post to the Staff
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