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 Replies: 18 / Views: 3,682 |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Can someone please tell me why these 83 pennies look so different? And handling them you can veagly feel a difference in weight so I weighed them with the following results All I had was Powder Scales to weigh with so in grains, one weighs (by my eyeball) 37.6 grains and the other is pretty much 48 grains even. My brother passed away last yr and I found these two pennies in some of his things I was going through. Thanks  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4589 Posts |
1983 was the transition year, some were made of Bronze (old weight of 3.11 grams) and some were the copper plated zinc (2.5g IIRC)
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
666 Posts |
 Blayne Puckett!This section is intended for new member introductions, and there is a subforum called US Modern Variety and Error Coins, which is perfect for questions like yours. However, all that is for future reference.  Regarding your Lincoln cents, there are experts on CCF who will undoubtedly know more. Here are my thoughts: - The cent on the right looks like a typical 1983-D with a 'bubbling' problem, caused by the copper coating not getting along well with the zinc interior. Copper-coated zinc cents began in 1982 (97.5% zinc + 2.5% copper) and should weigh close to 2.5 grams (38.6 grains). The brass (95% copper + 5% zinc) Lincoln cents of 1962-1982 should weigh close to 3.11 grams (48 grains). Apparently some 1983 cents were struck using the old brass planchets, which were supposed to be phased out in 1982 and no longer used in 1983. So it's possible that the cent on the left is a 1983-D cent with a brass composition. However, Lincoln's mouth sure looks funny--I don't know what to make of that. Others will no doubt know more. ~ Mark P.S. Photos of the reverse side of the coins might help. Edited by dd27
02/13/2017 11:12 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
666 Posts |
Here's a recent article on the topic: Latest copper 1983-D cent a mysteryAs the article suggests, as long as it is genuine, your coin could be worth a lot, so take good care of it with an eye toward having it evaluated and graded by one of the major third-party grading companies (ANACS, NGC, or PCGS). EDIT: The 1983-D brass Lincoln Cent discussed in the above article is now listed on eBay for a BIN (buy-it-now) price of $20k ($19,999.00 to be precise). Edited by dd27
02/13/2017 11:27 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12477 Posts |
To clarify, 1982 was the year that both copper (brass) cents and copper-plated zinc cents were minted intentionally.
If the left coin is actually a genuine '83 with a 95% copper composition, then it's worth a good sum.
I do agree with dd27 in that there are design elements that look a little odd, including the mouth.
I would suggest getting it authenticated. Maybe others have a good suggestion as to how to go about that.
In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Pillar of the Community
United States
666 Posts |
Quote:
To clarify, 1982 was the year that both copper (brass) cents and copper-plated zinc cents were minted intentionally. Excellent--and important--point spruett - thank you! Important because a brass 1982 Lincoln Cent is commonplace; but a brass 1983 is not. Edited by dd27
02/14/2017 12:40 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12477 Posts |
Quote:Important because a brass 1982 Lincoln Cent is commonplace; but a brass 1983 is not. Unless you have a 1982-d small date brass.   In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
to CCF. In your pic,which one weights 48 grains? Also,please post pic of reverse. John1 |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
to the Community! I moved your welcome post to the appropriate forum for the proper attention.  |
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New Member
 United States
4 Posts |
Thank you everyone for all the great info. I'm going to post pics of the other side later today when I get off work. I'm hoping my brother knew what the one on the left was and thats why he kept them hidden. Great story for later. Talk to y'all soon.
Thanks again
Blayne
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Here is the reverse side of the same pennies  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1609 Posts |
Is this just my eyes, or is one a Close AM, and the other a WAM? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
Blayne! Looks like an awesome find! |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Thanks guys! Suggestions about what to do next?
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Bay 8,is that zinc showing? I think I also see plating bubbles? I hope I'm wrong. John 1 Edited by John1
02/14/2017 6:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1000 Posts |
I agree with John -- looks like a gouge shows the zinc on the left side.
The appearance alone won't tell us much. I've seen much later cents with the same color as the one on the left. All we can definitively see is that the coin on the right has bubbles under the plating. You'll have to show us the coins on a scale.
Edited by Druu
02/14/2017 6:59 pm
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Replies: 18 / Views: 3,682 |
Posted 02/13/2017 11:11 pm
