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 Replies: 85 / Views: 10,584 |
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New Member
Canada
34 Posts |
OK guys, I'm not kidding. I have this 1983 cent and I am convinced its the rare copper version. I did a balance check (popsicle stick and pencil) with a zinc 1983 cent, and it favored the suspect coin's side. Next I did the drop test. The suspect made a more pleasant sound, while the other went thud. When I hold the coin in my hand, it feels heavier than a regular 1983 zinc. The coin is worn, but there is no silver (zinc) showing. It appears to be copper right through. Opinions please. I may be holding a penny 200,000x its worth...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
 If it is the rare copper 1983, you would want to treat it with kid gloves (drop test for sound not advised). You could try to use your popsicle stick device again only use a copper cent (or a few) to confirm your preliminary results. And I'd invest in a real postage scale to check the weight. The popsicle stick seesaw if fine for sorting copper from zinc, but does not have the precision needed to confirm something like this. Best of luck! And post some pictures. Folks here would like to do a visual confirmation for you if they can. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Your next step would be to use a scale and get an actual weight. I would caution you that the human hand is not really sensitive enough to tell the difference between coins that only vary by a half gram in weight, an actual number is required. Pictures might help as well, the surfaces of early Zincolns tend to look quite different from an alloy cent. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
And  If you're a collector you really should invest in a scale. They aren't expensive. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
869 Posts |
copper will weigh 3.1g zinc will weigh 2.5g Got my fingers crossed for ya! 
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3058 Posts |
ooooooh! My fingers are crossed as well!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3463 Posts |
to the forum! How about some pictures?   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
Yes, I would be headed out to find a precise scale. Good luck and of course.... |
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Moderator
 United States
15422 Posts |
Could be ... maybe ... give us some photos and an accurate weight ...that will tell the truth on what you have.
Hopeful for you indeed.
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19948 Posts |
Welcome to CC!
You need to accurately weigh the coin. Some pictures would be nice too.
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Valued Member
United States
295 Posts |
and good luck!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1000 Posts |
Why not weigh it against a cent that's definitely copper? Unless you were ridiculously precise in making the Popsicle stick balance, your fulcrum could just be off.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
to CCF. Don't forget about the mint tolerance of .13 grams +/- John1  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I don't know the retail value for a copper 1983 cent but it should justify a good $50 scale don't you think? If nothing else you will have a really good scale for years to come. If you get one get one that is 0.001 in accuracy. John1 |
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Valued Member
United States
110 Posts |
Using a popcycle stick and a pencil is a ridiculous method!
If you use a yard stick (36 inches) balanced on a knife edge, you should very clearly notice a difference in the balance point of about 3.5 inches between a copper coin on one end and a Zincoln on the other end.
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Replies: 85 / Views: 10,584 |
Posted 02/22/2017 6:49 pm
