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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,142 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1747 Posts |
So I was searching a few rolls I was graced to get up here in Canada, and found a darker than average 1983 US cent. I normally pass these by, but this one looked od and felt odd. I pulled out my scale which I use for the 82's and saw that it read 2.9g, I was expecting 2.4 or a bit less. There is no extra dirt or crud on the coin to attribute to the extra mass. My question to all the experts, is this within the tolerance of the 2.4g zincolns? OR do I have a copper 83 cent  which should be 3.1 I am sorry I don't have pictures, I will try when I go home, but I don't have a good set up for them. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Give it the ring test. If it really is 95% copper, it will ring when tossed or dropped unless there is an impressive amount of gunk on there. If it goes thud, you just have a dirty zinc cent.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1747 Posts |
I will try that, however as I mentioned there is no dirt on the coin, it looks perfect
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
A zincoln should weigh 2.5g and a copper 3.1g.Both of your numbers are within mint tolerances.Try the drop test,high pitch=copper thud=zinc. Do a test first with a pre 1982 cent,it will have the higher tone.Also look for plating bubbles on the zincoln.A copper should look a lot smother. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1747 Posts |
John, Thanks, I believe I looked for bubbling on this one, but will re-examine it after work, and do the ring test. so if it does sound like the pre 82's what is the chance it is a copper coin? if I send it to a TPG would they confirm it being copper? |
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Pillar of the Community
Puerto Rico
778 Posts |
Quote:if I send it to a TPG would they confirm it being copper? Of course that a TPG would confirm if your cent is copper but post some pics here first. |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Chances of finding a copper 1983 is slim to none.Don't send it in until you post pics and get input from CCF members. John1 |
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Valued Member
United States
330 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1747 Posts |
thanks for the link, does anyone know or has a link to the auction results for the one that sold?
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
I have found a few 1983 that weigh 2.7 g and one that weighed 2.8. The copper coins weigh 3.1 g. A 2.9 g. penny is a very intriguing find. It could be a copper coin!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
I think there are only 5-10 known bronze '83 cents known, so you would probably be looking at a $10,000 minimum if yours is a genuine wrong planchet error. That's a pretty monumental if, however. If it passes the ring test, post some pictures before you blow $20 on a grading fee.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1747 Posts |
Ok, I weighed it again, but now the scale says 2.5, so either I was dreaming last night or I tossed the coin by mistake
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19966 Posts |
Dang, too bad!
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,142 |
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Posted 09/08/2014 12:54 pm
