Posted 07/17/2021 10:44 am
Interesting IIRC a bag of copper Lincoln cents weighs almost 35 pounds and a bag of zinc Lincoln cents weighs around 28 pounds so a difference of around 7 pounds between the two types. Now mixed there would be no way to differentiate.
I remember reading that dealers in the 1960's of the treasury department silver dollar bag release to the public wanted the lighter bags, as these would be a pound or two lighter, because they contained the mixed dates and mintmarks from used dollars. The heavier bags were likely only a solid date & mintmark only. Some of the clerks learned they could burn a small hole with a lit cigarette tip (people smoked indoors at work back then) and manipulate the coins to see the date and mintmark contained within that bag. Dealers that made deals with some of these clerks to slip them a little bonus on the side after work for getting them particularly better date/mintmark bags.
I remember reading that dealers in the 1960's of the treasury department silver dollar bag release to the public wanted the lighter bags, as these would be a pound or two lighter, because they contained the mixed dates and mintmarks from used dollars. The heavier bags were likely only a solid date & mintmark only. Some of the clerks learned they could burn a small hole with a lit cigarette tip (people smoked indoors at work back then) and manipulate the coins to see the date and mintmark contained within that bag. Dealers that made deals with some of these clerks to slip them a little bonus on the side after work for getting them particularly better date/mintmark bags.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013!
ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector.
See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440
ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector.
See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440
