| Author |
 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,599 |
|
New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Hey guys, first post. first question. I love buying a box of cents from the bank at face value and adding variety to my collection but I have an issue with the 1982 Lincoln cents. How the heck do I tell which is Zinc filled and which is copper without cutting a sliver of the rim? thanks guys.
P.S. I have tried weighing, is there an easier way?
|
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
Easiest way for me is weight: 3.11 grams (copper) versus 2.5 grams (zincoln) some use a balance to compare known coins with those that are unknown  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
You can drop them on a hard surface like a table. The copper ones will have a ringing sound when they hit. The zinc ones will be a thud.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
395 Posts |
There is probably not an easier way then weighing. I bought a small digital scale for about ten bucks and it easily identifies them instantly.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
Quote:
You can drop them on a hard surface like a table. The copper ones will have a ringing sound when they hit. The zinc ones will be a thud. I agree with Seal... this method is 'fool proof.' The sound of the copper Lincoln is very distinct from the sound of a Zincoln. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
9150 Posts |
Quote:
You can drop them on a hard surface like a table. The copper ones will have a ringing sound when they hit. The zinc ones will be a thud This will work if you have good ears,  I don't so I use a digital scale. $10  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8515 Posts |
A scale is "foolproof", do that.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
|
|
New Member
 United States
8 Posts |
Ok, ok. You guys are right. Ill just get a scale thats better than the one I have. I appreciate the responses. Also, dropping the coin really works! I thought that was only silver coins. Thanks.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
If you don't want to invest in a scale you can make a cheapo popsicle stick balance. Glue a known copper (or zinc) cent on one end of a popsicle stick. Put the unknown coin on the other end. Center the stick on a pencil. If it balances, the unknown coin is the same as the control(glued coin). If it doesn't balance the unknown is the other one. Still easier with a scale. 3.1 grams for copper, 2.5 grams for a zincoln. BTW, I did the cheapo before I invested 10 bucks for a digital scale.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
271 Posts |
If your just going for the copper just take a knife and scratch the side and it will be obvious.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
597 Posts |
if you are weighing the whole roll and dont want to open it just multiply zinc 2.6gx50=130 copper 3.1gx50=155 =.5g for the wrapper to both
|
|
Moderator
United States
187630 Posts |
What if it is a mixed roll?  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8515 Posts |
....besides, if you get heavy into coin collecting a scale is a must. You'll find yourself using it constantly.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2311 Posts |
The best thing to do is have a GOOD scale. You will always need it if you buy raw coins. Such as, Gold, silver quarters, large cents, etc. Because having the scale helps make sure they're real.
Like it has been posted, 3.1 for copper, 2.5 for zinc.
@jsbruton, *shakes head* What if it was MS-65? Would you want to damage the rim? No you wouldn't, that's why just use a scale.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
950 Posts |
I find it easiest to flick it in the air and listen for the ringing of copper. If it makes a thud, its zinc. This is pretty much the same as the "drop it on a hard surface" test mentioned earlier, but you can do it without a hard surface, and you wont mark up your table :)
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
i probably get 40-50 82s per box, and once I'm done with the box (roughly sorted by copper, wheats, and known error/variety years) I can whip through the 82s in about a minute or two with my inexpensive, but very accurate gram scale (.001 accuracy). I've found weight variances with copper cents to be anywhere from 3.03-3.14 grams. zincs tend to have a smaller margin, about 2.49-2.57 grams
|
| |
Replies: 16 / Views: 2,599 |
Posted 05/31/2013 05:16 am
