Did they make 3.1 gram 1983 penny

I found a 1983 penny that weighs 3.1 grams i thought they are to be 2.5 grams what's up help I'm getting confused

 

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yes they did.they are worth money....1983 forward, pennies weigh 2.5 grams

 

Starting in 1982 the US Mint started producing copper coated zinc cents. If you found a 1983 copper cent, you hit the jackpot.

 

No pics it didn't happen so I'm told. Lol

 

Don't be confused. A few 1983 cents were struck on left over blank copper planchets. It's called a transitional error. But we need to see your example. It would be a very rare find.

You should know this because for some reason you were weighed your Cent

 

What prompted you to weigh the coin?

 

You need to make sure the scale is accurate.
Photo of the coin on the scale, as well as other 2.5 and 3.1 cents as a control.
It is unlikely to have a 1983 struck on a copper planchet. There are a few,
but it's 1 in a billion chance.

 

It's a transition year so there are a few. Without photos we'll never know.

 

How can you tell if your scale is accurate? I just got a used one recently from thrift store so it didn't come with instructions

 

As @Michael K said, use test coins. Weigh a coin you know 100% is a copper plated cent (use a few coins) and see what your scale reads. Weigh other coins that you know what the weight should be and compare it to what your scale reads. I truly hope you found a 1983 copper cent. although it's unlikely to be real, members here would love to see a real one found by another member. Good luck.
Don't forget to post photos of it.

 

All nickels are 5.
Copper pennies are 3.1 and zinc are 2.5.
So, if those all weigh correctly and your 1983 is still 3.1 you might have something.
Of course there are always other explanations, besides an inaccurate scale before you have a winner. Maybe the date took a hit and it's not 1983 and you made a mistake. Maybe it's just a thicker rolled planchet, so it's heavier, and not copper.
I am thinking the scale is incorrect. But, pictures are worth 1000 words, etc.
What kind of scale is it? A small digital scale is preferred to some postal scale that works with springs.
Use the scale on a flat surface. Weigh the coin at different points (after you have determined it is calibrated correctly) in the center, take it off and on several times.
Weigh it in all 4 corners. You will get slightly different readings.
Clear photos of the coin, and the coin on the scale.

 

What does in mean when the scale goes up then down back up back down and doesn't stay on a # for more than 5 seconds

 

What do you think it means?

 

I don't know I've never used a scale before maybe something stuck between two parts

 

I'm just going to buy a new one with instructions tomorrow

 

Blows on fingernails and buffs on lapels.

 

Yes do that.. Very important to have a working gram scale! And don't forget to post pictures!

 

It means the weight is between the parameters of the scale. Cheaper scales will weigh within say an accuracy of .000 and .002.
As an example:
If the coin is .001 it will bounce back and forth between .000 and the .002.

 

If your new scale still weighs the cent heavy, be sure to include photos of it and other cents on the scale.

 

So I got the new scale and my penny is just a regular penny that'll teach me not to buy cheap second hand stuff. And the new scale came with instructions, at least I learned something and I do every time I'm here on this forum.