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 Replies: 10 / Views: 3,368 |
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Valued Member
United States
107 Posts |
Hello again, all, and again good day. So I came across a 1903 Indian Head penny coin roll hunting the other day and decided to weigh it recently. The weight came to be about 2.92 grams and fluctuates between 2.91 grams and 2.92 grams at times. I've calibrated and checked the weight a good amount of time. According to an Infosheet provided by coop in my previous post (thank you coop!), copper cents between the dates of 1856-1971 have a specification weight of 3.11 grams with a tolerance of 2 grains or +/- .13 grams. Does this tolerance rule apply to Indian Head Pennies as well? Is it common for Indian head pennies to be out-of-spec in regards to weight, in this time period? Here are some pictures: Weighed 1903 Penny  1903 Penny Front  1903 Penny Back  The coin doesn't seem to be damaged much besides normal-looking wear. Could it be counterfeit? Edited by Houler
02/18/2022 07:03 am
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Moderator
 United States
34393 Posts |
@houl, your pics are a bit dark, but I wonder if the amount of circulation wear might explain the slightly below-spec weight on this coin. If not, then perhaps the planchet was slightly underweight when it was struck.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
21580 Posts |
The minimum tolerance is 2.98g so the .06g difference can probably be
attributed to wear as the coin is well worn.
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Valued Member
 United States
107 Posts |
Thank you for commenting on my post, Spence and JimmyD. Also, here are 2 extra pics with better lighting, it's quite dark in my room, had to use a lamp for this one. Not sure if it will make a difference in your assessments. front and back pictures with better lighting   |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
21580 Posts |
The new pictures don't change my assessment, they only help verify
the wear on the coin which probably accounts for the loss of weight.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Within specs w circulation wear factored in. John1  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
107 Posts |
Gotcha, thank you all for reading and responding to my post. I agree, it does make sense, some of the details are missing on the surface/face portion of the coin, which makes me believe that's where some of the extra weight was rubbed off.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Also some metal could have leeched out of the coin if it were found outdoors. (the images show this may be the case)
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Bottom line - doubt a dealer would offer you more than 50 cents for it.  |
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Valued Member
United States
107 Posts |
Agreed, Coinfrog. It is in a pretty worn-out shape after comparing it to a better quality Indian Head penny. |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 3,368 |
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Posted 02/18/2022 07:12 am
