3x 1982 P Lincoln Cents 2x click 1 rings/chimes.. Why?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Matthew williams, Feb 25, 2020.

  1. Curious why I am looking at 3x 1982 P Lincoln Cents (2x ring &1 clicks)?
    In other words if I place them individually on my index finger and flick them with my thumb nail. Two make a dull click no ring whatsoever while the third chimes or rings very loud? Can someone please inform me as to why? I appreciate your teaching and thank you all.
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Clawcoins

    Clawcoins Damaging Coins Daily

    Which ones are copper and which are zinc cores with thin copper plating?
     
  4. FarmerBill

    FarmerBill Member

    I believe there were two different compositions for 1982 cents.
     
  5. They are all 1982 no mint Ps
     
  6. thomas mozzillo

    thomas mozzillo Well-Known Member

    Over 10 Billion 1892 P (no mint mark) were made with both the large date and small date. Some were made out of the old copper alloy and some were made with the copper plated zinc. Possibly you have 2 coins made of one composition and 1 of the other. The surest way to tell the difference is to weigh them. Copper alloy weighs 3.11 grams and the copper plated zinc is 2.5 grams.
     
  7. Interesting ill buy a scale. Thanks for the update
     
  8. Clawcoins

    Clawcoins Damaging Coins Daily

    1982 was the transition year to a new composition for the US Cent.
    Thus in 1982 you will get two different types of cents.

    1952 – 1982 is 95% Copper and 5% Tin & Zinc; 3.11 grams
    1982 – Current is 97.5% Zinc and 2.5% Copper; 2.5 grams

    if you buy a "jewelers" scale make sure it goes to 2 digits. Such as 3.11.
    Getting a scale that only goes 1 digit that means it will round the number and you may get 3.0, or 3.1 instead of 3.11.

    And a food scale is totally different and should not be used.
     
    BadThad and Oldhoopster like this.
  9. messydesk

    messydesk Well-Known Member

    Ring = bronze, click = zinc. That's the easiest way to tell them apart.
     
  10. CoinCorgi

    CoinCorgi Tell your dog I said hi!

    Unless you're tone deaf like me.
    tenor.gif
     
    paddyman98 and Clawcoins like this.
  11. The one that chimes is a small date no mint P?
     
  12. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    You tell us!
     
  13. quartertapper

    quartertapper Numismatist

    Get yourself an inexpensive digital scale. The Copper cents weighed 3.11 grams brand new, and will weight about 3.06 grams with normal wear (the ones that ring). The copper plated zinc ones weighed 2.5 grams when minted, and will again weigh slightly less as they wear. Those are the one that make the dull thud.
     
  14. I took your advice it weighs 3.11
     
  15. l.cutler

    l.cutler Member

    OK, if it weighs 3.11 then it is a copper cent.
     
    quartertapper likes this.
  16. quartertapper

    quartertapper Numismatist

    Agreed. I also would agree that the copper version is the one that rings...
     
  17. Razz

    Razz Critical Thinker

    I always cringe when people talk about the "ring" of a coin. Why would you drop a coin and risk damaging just the hear the sound? Just weigh it on an accurate scale and you have a much more reliable measure of the composition.
     
    paddyman98 likes this.
  18. I don't drop them I flip them with my thumbnail
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page