I didn't understand the "penny drop" before. I was dropping it on the rim to try and get that "ring" like a bell. Well, at least it hasn't been a whole year yet to find out the right way, LOL! I was weighing a box of pennies and I always set aside unusual ones. So, I had a 1951-D penny that weighed 2.78g. Then, I came across a 1983-D penny that weighed 2.72g. I was like, how could their weight be so similar, one being copper and the other.......... oh my, could I have found one, a copper one! Then, I remembered the "drop test". Couldn't tell the difference. Then, I had the idea of dropping it flat on my real wood table. The 1951-D rang like a bell! The 1983-D, nothing. Well, at least now I know how to do it right. Goodnight.
Why does this 1983-D penny weigh 2.72g? I weigh all my pennies, box after box, and never have I had a zinc weigh this much.
A 1983 cent is made of copper coated zinc and should weight about that figure. Beautiful color from toning. The drop test doesn’t work and if it drops incorrectly it can damage the coin.
It's a little on the heavy side, 0.12 grams above tolerance. I don't think it's worth anything though as they aren't very uncommon.
What do you mean "the drop test doesn't work"? The "ring like a bell" doesn't determine if it is copper? Thanks!
I found out that sometimes the copper coating is thicker than usual and causes the weight to go up. Also, quality control on planchet weight is not monitored that well. So, a heavier than usual can slip through. A copper mistake on this coin would weigh around 3.11g. I will keep it, though, and any that I find that are heavier than they should be. Peace!
