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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,688 |
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New Member
United States
49 Posts |
Went through my first box of pennies yesterday. It seemed to be a very good box. Got it from a branch that uses brinks, which I normally don't have a lot of luck with, with halves. When I opened it up I was pleased to see lots of copper. I have not counted to get exact ratios but I would say it was at least 60% copper. I was very surprised. Along with this, I found 25 wheat cents, the oldest being a 1029, along with 20 Canadian cents, the oldest being a 1947. I also found a cent from Barbados... which I have never found before. And the kicker.... a 1998 WAM. I don't have a good enough camera to post a picture but I have confirmed it from the America and the initials. Here is my question. Regarding the 1982 pennies, is it worth trying to figure out which ones are copper? this box had about $2 of 1982s which I have set aside for now. I know you can weigh them although I do not have a good enough scale. Is there any other way to pick out the coppers? Maybe the mint marking? I am not sure. Any help would be great. |
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
A US 1029 Penny created before the country?! You struck it rich! Please send us a postcard from what ever Island you retire to after selling this gem.  As to the 1982 coppers, I know of no way to tell by any markings. I've seen Youtube videos about setting up a seesaw looking device using items from around the house, and then weighing 1982 pennies against other known copper pennies. If the copper penny weighs more than the 1982 penny, it isn't a 1982 copper penny. Of course, it depends on how much time and energy you want to spend on the project. I personally do not own a scale yet, so every 1982 and 1983 penny goes into an empty cigar box I had and one day I will weigh them on a scale I buy. Until then, it is just one more item taking up space on my coin sorting table. Good Luck! Edited by MadMortician
09/25/2012 6:51 pm
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New Member
 United States
49 Posts |
haha I should have proof read twice apparently :D. And yes that's what I was thinking with the 1982s. So you keep the 1983s as well? Are some of them also struck in copper?
Edit: 3 additional finds are 1969, 1970, and 1974, all with the s mint mark. I don't know if these are anything special but it seems experience would tell me to keep anything with an s mint mark...
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
Some 1983 were struck in copper by mistake, so finding one is worth some money (or a nice addition to a collection).
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
I have a simple Popsicle stick I super glued 3 washers to. it's super-glued to a dead battery. I super glued the stick to the battery about 1/3 of the way from one end. I super-glued a small washer about 3/4'' from one end of it (enough room to set your penny. I then super-glued washers to the other end one at a time until the copper penny went down but the zinc penny stayed up. For me, it took 3. Experiment with different sizes until it's right. Cheap and effective.
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Moderator
 United States
188770 Posts |
The coin flip test also works. Flip a copper, then a zinc; you will hear the difference. Now, flip the 1982 to determine which it is.
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Valued Member
United States
359 Posts |
Coin flip test works, but as in my case annoys others in the room.... I decided a scale purchase would be a good idea. I got a 100g 0.01g one on Amazon for $10.30... You could go the diy route as mentioned if you only want to compare 1982 cents. I have found the scale to be a useful purchase for other things. |
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New Member
United States
49 Posts |
Wow! I did not know you could get those for so cheap. I will probably invest in one. Thanks to all for the great suggestions.
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Valued Member
United States
359 Posts |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
I also bought the same model (AWS-100) and am amazed at how good it is for the money. Below the mentioned item, it says items frequently bought together with the addition of two calibration weights. You only need the 100g weight as this model only calibrates to that weight. Do not buy the 50 for this scale! I don't know if calibrating it was necessary, but mine was slightly off (or maybe the weight is off  ). |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,688 |
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Posted 09/25/2012 7:00 pm
