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 Replies: 16 / Views: 3,644 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5848 Posts |
I got a few shiny new cents in change today and I assumed they were all shield cents. I was surprised when one of them turned out to actually be from 1982! I don't collect modern cents, but I know people talk about 1982 being the year they switched over from copper to zinc. Anyway, I'm just wondering how you can tell whether a 1982 cent is copper or zinc and whether there's any reason to keep this one in the condition it is in:   [Hmmmm... Now that I have taken a close-up shot, I notice some odd patches that are not visible to the naked eye (well, not mine at least). Could that be zinc rot?] |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
You can weigh it - if it is around 2.5g, it is zinc; 3.1g copper.
It could be zinc rot. I would keep it though personally and stick it in a 2x2.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2563 Posts |
Gas bubbling. But one test is the drop test if it has a loud ping to it, it's copper, and if it duds it's zinc, but yours is most certainly zinc, and a large date. I enjoy them, but I never keep them. You can do whatever you find fitting.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5848 Posts |
Annnnnnd...
It weighs in at exactly 2.5 grams. Ah well.
Still, an unexpected surprise to see a 32-year-old coin this bright and shiny!
Thanks for the info.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5848 Posts |
Definitely a thud and not a ping, btw.
Edited by barryg
08/25/2014 8:18 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2368 Posts |
These are super common in this condition. I see these all the time in cent roll hunting. Spender.
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Moderator
 United States
15402 Posts |
Concur ... 1982 zincoln large date with the gas bubbles that plagued the series in the early years of zinc cents.
Nicer coin ... but common in this state.
David
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5848 Posts |
All right, you've convinced me! I'll go spend it. Or give it a burial at sea to prevent anybody else from being fooled by its seductive orange luster..
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Definitely zinc, you can see the bubbles in the plating. Looks to be 64-65, worth saving to make a nice BU roll. Personally, I can't bring myself to toss a 30+ year old mint state coin back into circulation - worth saving IMO.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
United States
446 Posts |
I'd save it. Gas bubbling, I don't think, is all that rare, but to have a nice pristine piece with it to keep as an example would be (for me anyway) fun to have.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
837 Posts |
Quote:
an unexpected surprise to see a 32-year-old coin this bright and shiny! Quote:
its seductive orange luster Those are the precise reasons its worth saving  , I think in years to come early 80`s zincolns in good condition will be hard to find and will subsequently become much sought after......keep it even if its just for its novelty value   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5848 Posts |
All right, all right... Rather than giving it a burial at sea, I have instead entombed it within a spare 19mm Lighthouse capsule I had lying around so it can be preserved for future generations. Who knows, in a thousand years, even it may be worth something!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2368 Posts |
Quote:
Who knows, in a thousand years, even it may be worth something! This made me think of Raiders of the Lost Ark lol. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5848 Posts |
Hmmmm... According to Numismedia, a 1982 Lincoln Cent in RD MS65 is worth $10.80. Maybe it's worth hanging onto after all? Gee, I wonder if I should send it in for grading...  Quote:
This made me think of Raiders of the Lost Ark lol. Well, it was nearly a direct quote. I was hoping somebody would catch it... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1116 Posts |
Barry I would also keep it, but as far as sending it into any TPG for grading I don't know about that. At the present time expenses would bury any added value. I'd just keep it, enjoy it, and if at a later time the value went up to $20 I just might consider getting it graded. It's just too nice a coin to return to the wild and be beat up by unknowing and uncaring people. In your hands it would be safe. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5848 Posts |
I really was just kidding about sending it in for grading, I promise!
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Replies: 16 / Views: 3,644 |
Posted 08/25/2014 8:09 pm
