Coin Weights For Silver Vs Cupronickel

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Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 948
Lancek Valued Member United States 442 Posts	Posted 02/22/2021 2:29 pm Can a copper nickel coin weigh more than a .925 silver coin of the same diameter, width and even design? On some 80s New Zealand coins Krause is showing 27.22 for silver proofs and 28.28 CuNi business strikes. Report this Post to the Staff

chafemasterj Pillar of the Community United States 6514 Posts	Posted 02/22/2021 3:08 pm Huh. I would think that the silver is denser than copper. I copy and pasted this from a website: A cubic foot of copper would weigh 559 lb. Silver is even denser than copper, at 655 lb for a cubic foot. Gold is really heavy at 1206 lb for a cubic foot. Check out my counterstamped Lincoln Cent collection: http://goccf.com/t/303507 Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12250 Posts	Posted 02/22/2021 4:44 pm You would need accurate measurements of the thickness of each coin - be careful, many time this dimension is rounded off. It is possible for a CuNi coin that is thicker than a same-diameter silver coin to weigh more. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21786 Posts	Posted 02/22/2021 5:42 pm The copper nickel and silver coins could be exactly of the same weight and diameter, as per Mint specifications. .925 Silver has a higher density than copper nickel by about 15%, and thus the difference in specification will be found in the thickness of the coins by about 15%, the CN examples being thicker. The CN coins are also usually identified by having finer edge milling. Careful measurement for thickness with an accurate micrometer screw gauge becomes essential to help with investigations. You may need the assistance of a engineering machine person if you don't have one. Problems arise in the investigations when there is a difference in the specifications between the silver and CN coins for weight. This problem can be overcome by careful application of arithmetic for density volume weight and diameter, and the use of the micrometer screw gauge. Report this Post to the Staff
Conder101 Bedrock of the Community United States 17884 Posts	Posted 02/23/2021 6:39 pm Quote: Careful measurement for thickness with an accurate micrometer screw gauge becomes essential to help with investigations. But to be meaningful you would need to take a measurement at a couple dozen or more places all over the coin (and not the edge) to determine an average thickness. Trying to measure the "thickness" of a struck coin is an exercise in futility. What you need is to be able to measure the planchet or preferably the blank. Striking pressures can make the thickness of the coin vary. For a copper nickel blank to weight the same as a sterling silver one of the same diameter it would have to be 10% thicker. Edited by Conder101 02/23/2021 6:41 pm Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21786 Posts	Posted 02/23/2021 7:13 pm If you need to take thickness measurements on opposing points in the fields of a coin, a specialized type of micrometer screw gauge is needed: one with domed tips on the touch points. Such instruments are available - usually to be found in materials labs or machine shops. Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7933 Posts	Posted 02/23/2021 8:40 pm Yes. If either the thickness or the relief are different. No if struck in exactly the same dies. It is not clear from the original post which of these (if either) applies. Edited by tdziemia 02/23/2021 8:41 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94636 Posts	Posted 02/23/2021 8:55 pm Quote: If you need to take thickness measurements on opposing points in the fields of a coin, a specialized type of micrometer screw gauge is needed: Something like this can work: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XMTTG...bGljaz10cnVl Along with a standard micrometer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z5KETD...aWNrPXRydWU= Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7933 Posts	Posted 02/24/2021 5:23 pm Interesting that you were paying enough attention to notice that. I doubt I would have. Pretty sure the cupronickel coin must be at least 14% thicker. Report this Post to the Staff
Conder101 Bedrock of the Community United States 17884 Posts	Posted 02/25/2021 9:20 pm Which would mean for a planchet 2.5 mm thick, the copper nickel planchet would have to be 2.9 mm thick. Report this Post to the Staff
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