1983 D copper cent?

Discussion in 'Error Coins' started by Sheila Ruley, May 28, 2016.

  1. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Since the scale appears to be accurate it is either copper (unlikely due to the silver color on the reverse) or a copper plated zinc struck on an over weight planchet. The next step (without spending a bunch of money sending it in) would be a specific gravity test. That would tell you for sure. A copper cent would have a SG of 8.83 and a plated zinc of 7.17
     
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  3. Sheila Ruley

    Sheila Ruley The short blonde girl

    What is a gravity test and how would I do that? Also, would I be able to send it to CONECA and let them do a test?
     
  4. mikediamond

    mikediamond Coin Collector

    As others have indicated, this cent was struck on a planchet punched out of zinc stock that was rolled too thick. It doesn't appear that the plating was excessively thick (the other possible cause of an overweight zinc cent).
     
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  5. Sheila Ruley

    Sheila Ruley The short blonde girl

    I do believe it is zinc because it sounds different than a copper coin when dropped on a wooden table.
     
  6. Sheila Ruley

    Sheila Ruley The short blonde girl

    This may explain the odd weight then.
     
  7. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Now, how can I explain my extra weight?
     
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  8. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Grader, Founding Member

    TV cooking shows. Damn you Rachel Ray, Guy Fiery and BBQ pitmasters! :p
     
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  9. bdunnse

    bdunnse Who dat?

    What sound do you make when dropped from a height?
     
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  10. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Grader, Founding Member

    Depends if anyone's around to hear it ;)
     
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  11. Sheila Ruley

    Sheila Ruley The short blonde girl

    I had it looked at at a coin store and he couldn't explain it either. His only guess was that maybe it had a foreign material in it. He suggested I send it to CONECA.
     
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  12. Sheila Ruley

    Sheila Ruley The short blonde girl

    Lol, me too!
     
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  13. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Plop, Plop, Fizzle
     
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  14. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Depends on the height and whether you mean the sound he makes on the way down or the one when he hits.
     
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