to CCF! In the event you are just asking a question to gain knowledge, and you don't actually have a Cent of this nature but just needing an answer and some clarification, this is what I can offer.
All pennies (Lincoln Cents) made and struck AFTER 1982, should weigh in the 2.5 gram range. All Cents made from 1983 and going forward (newer Cents) are comprised of a Zinc core and plated with a microscopic layer of copper. They are composed of a completely different metallic material from those Cents produced during 1982 but, then again and without confusing you, 1982 was the transitional year at the mint when they switched from copper to zinc planchets therefore you can find 1982 pennies that are made of both substances.
Now.....Back to 1983 Cents. There were a handful of some copper planchets (predominately 95% pure copper blanks or planchets) that were mistakenly introduced into the minting process during the striking of the 1983 penny. These are very far and few between and YES!, A 1983 Cent that weighs anywhere over 3.0 grams is very rare for sure. Even if struck on a foreign planchet.
Here's a recap of this:
-1909 to 1981, all Linc. cents were made of a predominately copper alloy and will weigh approx. 3.11 grams.
-1982 Linc. cents can weigh either 2.5 or 3.1 grams depending on which type of metal planchet they were struck on, totally normal. Remember this was the transitional year for the Linc. cent series metal composition introduced my the mint.
-Any Linc. cent made in 1983 to present day should weigh approx. 2.5 grams. Any 1983 cent, if valid and not a counterfeit, that weighs in excess of 3.0 grams is well worth looking into and could be valuable.
Hope this help clarify things.
Posted 08/23/2021 12:05 pm
