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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,578 |
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
Hi, All,
Even though I am a long-time collector, this is my first ever post to this forum.
I have noticed that a number of you put away pre 1983 copper cents.
I have invented a nifty little easy-to-make device to help differentiate those pesky 1982 copper vs. zincs....
Simply get a wooden popsicle stick, glue a short piece of dowel at its center balance point, then tape or hot-melt glue a post 1982 cent to one end. Now place your 1982 test cent on the other end of your little "Lincoln teeter totter". If it balances - zinc. If it outweighs the fixed cent - copper!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
 Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Are you looking for specific 1982 varieties? |
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
to the Community! |
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New Member
 United States
15 Posts |
Hi, Thanks!
No specific varieties, I already have all the mint/ date / composition varieties safely mounted in my collection. This is just so I can seperate the numerous composition types I come across. I, too, am setting aside coppers for future use.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
i still do it the old way just bounce them on a table with a very smooth surface  |
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
That works good, too!!
I'm just into fabricating gadgets......
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
I'm just into fabricating gadgets...... Nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2651 Posts |
The old popsicle scale...You should have gotten a patent on it if you invented it :) to the forum |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Use a six sided pencil for the balance point. Easier to place the stick on it for balancing. And remember that if you put a post 82 cent on one end of the stick, any 82 cent that balances is Zinc. If you place a Pre 82 Cent on that one end, any 82 Cent place on the other that balances is Copper.
The most important thing to remember is to eat all the popcicle off the stick before trying this.
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
No patents necessary...it's a parallel invention among thousands of coin collectors / hoarders! And.. why not leave some popsicle residue on the stick? It adds character!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
With enough practice, it's easy to tell zinc and copper from each other by eye.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2651 Posts |
I give them the flip test...copper rings...clad thuds.....I also flip 83's
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,578 |
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Posted 05/16/2012 4:02 pm
