To Thick Or To Thin Coin Errors? What Is The % Error Margin On US Coins?

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 6,614
greenprint Valued Member United States 477 Posts	Posted 04/04/2016 6:36 pm Is a coin that is to thick or to thin an error? I'm just wondering if anyone has any information on the percent error that is allowed by the mint? Can anyone share the information? I was just wondering if I find a coin that is way beyond the error percentage margin that is allowed if it would be worth holding onto? Report this Post to the Staff

biokemist6 Bedrock of the Community United States 12437 Posts	Posted 04/04/2016 6:45 pm Thickness is not a standard used for US coins, only blanks. With that said, blanks can be punched from thin stock which results in coins that are lighter than tolerance allows. Tolerance is expressed as +/- X grains, not a percentage of total weight. For example, Lincoln Cents have a tolerance of +/- 2 grains(0.13 grams). Report this Post to the Staff
greenprint Valued Member United States 477 Posts	Posted 04/04/2016 6:53 pm So if I find a coin that weights more than 0.13 grams than than standard of 2.5 zinc and 3.11 grams for copper cent than I have an error coin? This would be 2.63 grams for zinc and 3.24 grams for copper cents. I would be afraid that to light of a coin would be from post mint damage and circulation but a coin that weighs to much could be an error I think. Report this Post to the Staff
biokemist6 Bedrock of the Community United States 12437 Posts	Posted 04/05/2016 12:50 pm Coins struck on light planchets typically have signs of strike weakness, more noticeable when significantly underweight. In the images below, the 1953D is a normal coin while the 1954D weighs 2.7 grams. Notice the broad rounded rims coupled with strike weakness on the wheat ears and ONE(opposite the point of highest relief- the shoulder). Light planchets also have a higher pitched ring when dropped, I found that coin strictly by the sound it make when dropped on a wood desk(quite by accident while I was sorting a pile of Wheaties). Report this Post to the Staff
Conder101 Bedrock of the Community United States 17884 Posts	Posted 04/05/2016 12:57 pm Quote: So if I find a coin that weights more than 0.13 grams than than standard of 2.5 zinc and 3.11 grams for copper cent than I have an error coin? Yes, but unless it is significantly out of spec it won't be worth much if anything. For example a 3.25 gram copper cent is out of spec but will not have any interest. Find a 4 gram copper cent and you will find some demand. Report this Post to the Staff
coop Bedrock of the Community United States 62064 Posts	Posted 04/05/2016 4:06 pm Most of the ones that seem extra thick that I have found is normal in weight, but the setup of the blank made the rim higher. When struck this makes it feel thicker, but the actual planchet is normal weight, just the rim is taller after they are struck. Report this Post to the Staff
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