Copper Vs Zinc - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 21 / Views: 2,634	Page: of 2
Hello There Pillar of the Community United States 1191 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 01:05 am I'm starting to collect all the copper pennies I come across. The only problem is that I can't tell the difference in the 1982 cent. I don't have a scale, is there any other way to tell the difference? Report this Post to the Staff

SilverStackerKid Pillar of the Community United States 6478 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 01:11 am Drop a zinc cent and a copper cent. The difference is pretty noticeable. The ping of copper stands out. Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 04:50 am John1 Report this Post to the Staff
Garoyn Pillar of the Community United States 513 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 07:41 am Make a crude balance with a popsicle stick, an emery board, or the like. Pre-1982 cents are copper. Post-1982 cents are zinc. Put a post-1982 cent on one side of the balance and the 1982 coin-in-question on the other side. If the unknown is copper, it is heavier than the post-1982 cent and sinks. If it is zinc, it is the same as the post-1982 cent and "balances" and does not sink. Voila! Now you know if it is copper or not. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188166 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 10:59 am Sound test and/or balance test are good. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Hello There Pillar of the Community United States 1191 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:05 am I'll try them later, thanks for the help. What kind of sound does each make though. Report this Post to the Staff
Garoyn Pillar of the Community United States 513 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:17 am plink Report this Post to the Staff
Garoyn Pillar of the Community United States 513 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:18 am The sound test may damage the coin from dropping it and reduce its value to one cent Report this Post to the Staff
Hello There Pillar of the Community United States 1191 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:21 am Doesn't matter, all the coins from the boxes are not in the best condition. I started a jar of copper pennies :) Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188166 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:22 am Drop or flip a known copper. Drop or flip a known zinc. Note the differences. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
TypeCoin971793 Pillar of the Community United States 6370 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:24 am Shoot a hole in them. The difference should be pretty clear then. Report this Post to the Staff
Hello There Pillar of the Community United States 1191 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:25 am Quote: Drop or flip a known copper. Drop or flip a known zinc. Why didn't I think of that Report this Post to the Staff
IndianGoldEagle Bedrock of the Community United States 36724 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:28 am zinc=thud, copper=ring. Report this Post to the Staff
tkbslc Pillar of the Community United States 1158 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:40 am Not to be "That" guy, but the copper premium is about six-tenths of a cent. I'd just dump all 1982s because the time spent determining the metal content is not worth the potential reward. Unless you can determine copper vs zinc in less than 3 seconds, you are making less than federal minimum wage. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188166 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 11:43 am Quote: Shoot a hole in them. The difference should be pretty clear then. A destructive test, but effective. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Hello There Pillar of the Community United States 1191 Posts	Posted 07/27/2015 12:02 pm Quote: Unless you can determine copper vs zinc in less than 3 seconds, you are making less than federal minimum wage. I think I'll just dump them too, just wanted to know it for future references. Report this Post to the Staff
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