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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,528 |
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Valued Member
United States
285 Posts |
Does anyone know how to tell a 1982 Zinc from a 1982 copper? I collected these years ago but how do I know for sure I don't have 2 zincs or 2 coppers?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Simple. Just lay them on a steel table, hit with the tip of a Butane torch. If they melt into a Silvery looking blob, they WERE the Zinc ones plated with Copper. If just a blob of Copper, those WERE the Copper ones.  Now you have the problem of putting them back together.  I suspect if you went to the Search tab at the top and typed in 1982 Cents, 82 Lincolns, Copper 1982 or similar possible types of posts, you would find many topics on how to figure out which is which. Most say to just weigh them with a good scale. I always say to save money just make a balance beam scale. One pencil, drop of glue, popsicle stick. Balance a stick on the pencil, drop of glue to hold that position. A pre 82 Cent on one far end of the stick, your 82 on the far end of the other. If yours makes the stick stay in place, yours is Copper. If not, yours is the Zinc one. |
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Valued Member
 United States
285 Posts |
thanks just carl. makes sense.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Actually it's fun. You get to eat a popscile or ice creame bar to get the stick. The main thing is to remember to wash off any popscile stuff first. A normal 6 sided pencil works easier.
And don't forget you can reverse the process by placing a POST 1982 cent on the far end and yours on the other end. Now if yours makes the stick drop, yours is Copper.
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Valued Member
Canada
162 Posts |
Just drop them!
Copper rings, but zinc thuds.
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Valued Member
United States
380 Posts |
The drop test! Or buy that machine that detects copper vs. Zinc...
The weight test is probably the easiest/ safest way about it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
I've been using the popsicle stick...quick,easy,no damage to coin or coffee table,and no chasing the coin that runs away.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Just drop them!
Copper rings, but zinc thuds.
AAHHHHHHH yes that drop the coin thing. And from what height? I suggest from the top of a 10 story building. If your intent is to damage the coins, why not do a good job of that. And think of the fun watching people dodge them down there too. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1348 Posts |
do a search in the forums next time. I think this question has probably been answered 10 times in the last 2 months :) I flip it though
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Valued Member
United States
341 Posts |
If you have a scale a copper one is around 3.11g and a zinc is 2.5g
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Moderator
 United States
188130 Posts |
Quote:
do a search in the forums next time While always advised, it is not totally necessary. This community caters to the inexperienced as well as the seasoned professionals. Not everyone knows how to search when they first start out.  |
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Valued Member
United States
327 Posts |
Yeah I just ping them on the tabletop, coppers go "ting" and Zincolns go "thunk".
Oh, and welcome aboard bobbymeru!
Edited by SPQR
03/04/2011 2:34 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
After you go through just several thousand, you will be able to tell the majority of them just by looking at them.
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Valued Member
United States
337 Posts |
I'm gonna use that popsicle trick to complete my album holes for those 1982s
thanks a ton, great idea
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,528 |
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Posted 03/03/2011 10:18 pm
