It is a small date, and it is from Denver, and with that weight it's worth checking into further. Next step would be a specific gravity test. A zinc cent, even on a thick planchet, would have a specific gravity of 7.17. The copper cent would have a specific gravity of 8.83. Very different and definitive. If it passed a specific gravity test, then it should be sent in for certification. Even if it comes back details, it's still going to be valuable.
Not that I don't believe you but can you take a picture of your Cent on the scale showing the weight?
If it were a 1982-D small date bronze, it wouldn't HAVE plating to wear off. The bronze cent is homogenous through and through. That only leaves a thicker than normal planchet.
I don't think the plating is wearing off. If the zinc was exposed to oxygen the reaction would show obvious signs. We've all seen zinc rot. I think the coin is stained. Image by spruett001
I just want to know what it is. Not looking for the lottery winner. Just found it coin roll hunting and first thought was you guys.
It sounds like you scale only weighs to 0.1 grams which could lead to rounding errors, and that can be compounded if the scale isn't calibrated. The quickest and easiest thing to do is check for accuracy. Even if you don't have a calibration weight, just take about 5 or 6 known copper cents (pre-1982) and then 5 or 6 zinc cents (post 1982). The copper should be coming in at 3.1 and the zinc at 2.5. If you see variation then your scale is out of whack (I think that's the technical term)
1982 D Copper large common 1982 D Copper small 1 known 1982 D Zinc large common 1982 D Zinc small common 1982 (P) Copper large common 1982 (P) Copper small common 1982 (P) Zinc large common 1982 (P) Zinc small common 1982 S Copper large common 1982 S Copper small never made 1982 S Zinc large never made 1982 S Zinc small never made
Yes it's true I am far away from Penn. But I read about many problems with the first year zinc issues and this coin has fewer survivors than the copper SD 82 Philly.
