What's wrong with this IHC?

I've had this coin for a long time, but never knew what type of error it was. Is this IHC struck on the wrong planchet? It's 18mm, just a bit smaller than a normal cent, but with a heavy rim, no visible denticles, and is thicker. I don't have a scale (meani ng to buy one for about 20 years) so can't weigh it. My pic shows it in comparison to a regular IHC. Any comments would be appreciated.

Bruce

 

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Spooned, maybe. Or once encased. Or maybe it got trapped in the machinery of a vending machine and spun around until the diameter decreased.

 

The rim or edge isn't damaged in any way, so I can't figure it out. It's actually a nice clean coin, though with some wear. Thanks Texas John.

Bruce

 

I have seen this type of coin many a time and it is definitely post mint damage. Something whether it be a spoon or a machine has hit the edge of the coin repeatedly.

 

If this was a relatively modern cent, the most frequent answer would be a "dryer coin". I think the concept is still the proper one, but being an IHC, I am not sure it was specifically a dryer. I believe texas John is correct in that it has been spun around This gradually reduces the diameter while increasing the thickness of the rim. This would account for the disappearance of the denticles as well. The weight should be within specs if this was the cause, if you find a balance to weigh it.

Jim

 

Thanks guys, the spun coin explanation sounds reasonable. I really do have to get a scale, but heck I've been saying that for years.

Bruce

 

My vote is for spooning since the denticles are covered by the rim's which have been beaten down then flattened out. Notice how close the lettering is to the rim? A coin on a a smaller non-US planchet would at the minimum still show the denticles
.

 

Could you explain what spooning is 19Lyds or anyone else? Thanks

 

People used to make rings out of silver (and I guess also gold) coins. Suppose you wanted to make a ring out of a 90% silver half dollar. You would tap all around the edge with a spoon (or something similar). Over time the edge would thicken and the diameter of the coin would decrease as the edge metal moved toward the center of the coin. When the spooning was complete the center was drilled out to complete the ring.

Spooning has come to describe any action that deforms the edge of a coin as above. One common way a coin gets spooned unintentionally (or perhaps occasionally intentionally) is when the coin gets trapped in a fin inside a dryer drum and gets tumbled over and over for a long period of time.

 

It looks to be about the size of a dime. Perhaps someone was making slugs to use in a vending machine?

 

Thanks for the info Hobo.

Bruce

 

LOL. I broke down and bought a 1000 gram electronic one on eBay for $7. I waited about 2 weeks for it to get shipped from China (free shipping), but was really pleasantly surprised at how well built and accurate it was. Of course the first thing I did after installing batteries was to weigh items that have a known weight. And in different modes. The Morgan weighed the 421 grains and the copper cent came in at 3.11 grams and I checked multiples. All I am saying is that for the price, it was well worth it. Although I haven't found any 1983 copper cents ...........yet.

gary

 

Yep I think I bought the same one, Its not bad for the price or waiting time. I bought mine for scrap gold sales. When gold was $935.00

 

I didn't realize you could get a scale so cheap. I guess my twenty years of procrastination is over ... now if I could just find the time to paint my living room. Hmmm, I'll be free tomorrow ...or maybe sometime next week at the latest.

Thanks for the info gary and buck.

Bruce

 

Bruce, I use a Digiweigh pocket scale, got mine for around $16 shipped from this seller on ebay: digiweigh-pocket-scales

The seller was easy to work with, has a fair return policy, shipped promptly and the unit was securely packed. You can also acquire them and info about these scales from their web site: DigiWeigh

Some other sites for scales: Old Will Knott scales and more sophisticated: Precision Weighing Balances (search for the MyWeigh scales here or on eBay) and one other: Dillion Precision

 

The technology of electronic scales is much different now. They use a component whose resistance to current varies directly with the amount of pressure on it. This makes it very accurate as a measurer of weight, and they are very durable and cheap to produce as well.

 

New calibration weights are expensive, so I immediately took a small plastic jar with a lid and added copper junk to it until I had 1000 grams worth. Sealed it with a piece of tape and stashed that in a closet. But unless it gets dropped, I don't think it will need re-calibration. I do check it about once a month though.

gary

 

The Digiweigh pocket scale that I bought came with two calibration weights for the price mentioned above. Quite inexpensive and it's precise enough for my use and handling of the device.

 

A nickel weighs five grams. And it only costs five cents.

 

Not so... In either regard!

At random, here are five nickels that weigh under five grams each:





Perhaps what you meant to say was, "A nickel (should) weigh five grams. And it (only starts out costing) five cents."