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 Replies: 17 / Views: 2,523 |
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Valued Member
United States
477 Posts |
I have a scale that measures up to 1/8th ounce. I'm however still unable to measure the difference between a zinc and a copper penny. Is there any way to tell a difference between a copper and a zinc penny? Do copper pennies conduct electricity better than a zinc one? Is there a set resistance of a copper penny than a zinc one? Could I measure the resistance of the pennies with a meter and measure a difference?
Thanks
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Quote:
Is there any way to tell a difference between a copper and a zinc cent? Have you tried the drop test? Zinc will sound like a thud and copper has a ring to it. John1  |
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Rest in Peace
 United States
1380 Posts |
Make a popsickle stick balance, i.e., take popsickle stick, take two known copper pennies (any 1981 or earlier) and balance them. Mark the balance point and where each penny is on the stick (in case you bump it). Take one penny off and start putting your question pennies on the balance. If they balance, they're copper, if they don't, they're zinc core.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
You need a gram scale for coins, ounce scales are for food and postage. A scale accurate to +/-0.1 grams will cost less than $20. In the meantime, you can just use a simple balance beam for a qualitative measurement.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1721 Posts |
I buy small scales from a company called Awesome Wholesale. I don't think there is a minimum. I order from them time to time. They have scales for under 10 dollars. These are the same scales head-shops and dealers get 25-35 dollars each.
1-888-293-7661
Ask for Lori.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3453 Posts |
I recycle Popsicle sticks from, well, Popsicles. Sorry, couldn't resist!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
597 Posts |
gram scale at harbor freight tools $4.00
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
Bury them in the ground for a few years in acidic soil. The zinc cents will rot away while the copper cents should remain largely unaffected.
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Valued Member
 United States
477 Posts |
well the smallest scale I can find is in increments of one gram or .1 of an ounce.
I'm afraid that the copper penny will get rounded to 3 grams (it's 3.11)
zinc penny will also get rounded to 3 grams (it's 2.5)
copper penny will get rounded to .1 ounce (it's 0.0881849)
zinc penny will get rounded to .1 ounce (it's 0.109702)
I could be wrong about this but I don't know if a scale with increments of 1 gram or .1 of an ounce will help me and that's as small as I can find.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
900 Posts |
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I recycle Popsicle sticks from, well, Popsicles.  Me too. |
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Valued Member
United States
477 Posts |
do you think that a scale that can weight as small as a tenth of an ounce will work that is small as I can find. I've checked all food stores and general stores and that's as small as I can find.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3077 Posts |
try an office suply store
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Valued Member
United States
477 Posts |
but would a tenth ounce scale work and why would an office store have scales?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1005 Posts |
Alot of convenience stores have digital scales.
They keep them up front with the "tobacco" pipes and bob Marley t shirts.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
get a diabetic food scale from any drug store, under $30 will get you .05 gram accuracy. for $50+ you get .01g
with canadian pennies you can tell by color, the zincs are more pink.
Edited by Wade
01/14/2013 10:33 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1812 Posts |
While not cheap, you can purchase a scale used for weighing gemstones. Below is my scale weighing a 1955s Lincoln Cent in both Grains and Grams.   |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 2,523 |
Posted 01/10/2013 5:11 pm
