Sorry, new here. This is my first post and I did it wrong. I have a 1973 D penny that weighs 3.48 grams? Any help on it would be greatly appreciated. Ginny
I would be interested to know the thickness of the coin in mm to 2 decimals. The coin is just slightly heavy. Expected weight/tolerance: Weights and Tolerances for Lincoln Cents: Copper Cent = 3.110g +/- 0.130g Steel cent = 2.689g/2.754g +/- 0.130g (Heavier weight produced in late 1943) Zinc Cent = 2.500g +/- 0.100g
Yes the copper range is 2.98g-3.24g so it is above tolerance. Take several weighings, try the center of the scale. Weigh other cents (They should be 3.1 and 2.5 for copper and zinc) as a control to see if the scale is calibrated correctly. Now while it is heavy, it's only a little out of range. It could be a thicker rolled planchet. Which is an error. The heavier and thicker the better. There won't be much premium on this one, but I would keep it and label the weight on a 2x2 coin flip.
If you do not have a calibration weight, use a Splenda or other sweetener packet as they usually come in 1 gram packet, to check the scale's accuracy. Jim
If anyone knows anything about a 1957 d penny weighing 3.48 let me know. It seems like it has errors. I'm not a coin collector and when I seen this penny I thought it could be worth something. It definitely has the ridges lifted like it got printed wrong.
There are planchets that when created were cut from a thicker than normal sheet of copper. It is a well known issue. But that heavier weight is nothing major. sounds like damage. Also.. Coins are struck/minted not printed. Ink is used to print paper currency.
The weight of the coin is 0.24g above weight tolerance (not much but outside of tolerance). I am interested to learn whether or not the coin is within thickness tolerance.
@Ginny Hylton Old Abe needs to go on a diet looks like he had to many deserts while dining at the White House lol. Good eye how did you come to notice it was different? We’re you weighing coins at random or what? Reed
Yes the tolerance is +/- .13 2.98-3.24. Pete Apple has said it is .24 above tolerance which is enough for a small premium. Assuming the scale is correct, Paddy is probably right about it being a thicker rolled planchet. It is worth saving. You won't get rich but it's worth more than normal 3 cent wheat value.
When one is basing an error or variety on weight, be sure to carefully calibrate the balance before weighing. I know many that do not do that except maybe when they first got it. Most balances come with a accurate weight for calibration. Moving the balance or going over max weight can disrupt the previous calibration. Jim
Best way to check a scale is with nickels. They are extremely accurate on 5 grams. Try 5 or 10 to see
But even they have a tolerance of +/- .19 grams. Desertgem probably has a better suggestion with the sweetner packets, but is that 1 gram weight with or without the paper packet? If I remember correctly dollar bills are also very close to 1 gram. Just weighed three different notes each weighed 1.00 grams.