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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,685 |
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
as most of you know there are many varieties of the 1982 cent, ( aka sm date copper, sm date zinc, etc. I'm sure this has probably been asked like a thousand times on here, so I'm sorry for the redundancy. but how can I tell the difference between the copper and zinc varieties.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2520 Posts |
weight! zincs are 2.5 grams and coppers are over 3 grams. (although I've weighed them between 2.99 and 3.17 grams, I believe the spec weight is 3.1 grams)
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Valued Member
United States
258 Posts |
You have to get a digital scale. The copper pennies will weigh in at 3.1 grams and the zinc will weigh in at 2.5 grams. Once you seperate them by weight just compare the mint marks. Zinc pennies are less common than copper in the 1982 year. Happy hunting! Sincerely, John Leckrone
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Pillar of the Community
United States
573 Posts |
Drop them on a table. The copper ones ring, the zinc ones thud.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4541 Posts |
you will probably find more copper 82's than zinc ones.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2520 Posts |
Quote:
Drop them on a table. The copper ones ring, the zinc ones thud. Not the best idea if you want a higher grade set.  An alternative to a scale (which I would suggest getting to also help detect counterfeits) is a homemade sort of balance scale. (some people use a pencil and a popsicle stick) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
There is NO problem with dropping a coin onto a wood based table. It will NOT damage coins! I get so tired of hearing that dropping a coin onto a table will damage it! Do you have ANY idea what coins go through while they are minted?
By far the fastest and easiest way to tell the difference between zinc and bronze or brass cents is to drop them on a table and listen to them. Copper rings, zinc doesn't.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
I can just look at them and tell. The Mint was horrible at making zinc cents for many years. On the 1982's you'll see gas bubbles and various plating issues that make them stand out from the copper cents.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4541 Posts |
Also to add once you sort enough you can feel the weight difference. at least I can. I have a ryedale so I never have to sort the 82's out anymore
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2520 Posts |
Quote:
There is NO problem with dropping a coin onto a wood based table. It will NOT damage coins! I get so tired of hearing that dropping a coin onto a table will damage it! Do you have ANY idea what coins go through while they are minted? My bad! I didn't realize Wood Table was specified! Oh wait...it wasn't. (Table tops are made of various materials) And yes, I do realize what a coin goes through at the mint. Thats why high MS grades bring such a premium. Edited by ratman4762
01/04/2010 1:13 pm
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,685 |
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Posted 01/03/2010 8:44 pm
