X-Ray Image of 1980 and 2001 Lincoln Cents

I was wondering if I could tell the difference between an older copper cent (1980 in this case, on left) and a newer copper-plated zinc cent (2001 on right) by x-ray imaging alone. Of course one could weigh them. So I took an x-ray image of the two and displayed the image as a pseudo color heat map so that more radiodense areas (denser or thicker areas) will appear red (see overlapping area) and radiolucent areas appear blue. With much fussing I was able to show a difference. The copper cent is more green. But it was surprising to me how similar they where. Although in hind sight copper and zinc are right next to each other on the periodic table so it shouldn't have been all that unexpected. Anyway I thought some of you may be interested in the image so here it is.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

That has got to be the coolest thing i've seen in a long time.

 

Wow..very interesting!

 

You are having too_much_fun.

I wonder if an improper alloy mix - a "Woodie" - would show differing results.

 

Very cool

Sent from my ZTE B2017G using Tapatalk

 

Can you tell if the red is due to thickness versus density? obviously in this picture we know the red is due to the thickness. But I would expect the material in the devices (i.e. Lincoln's big fat noggin) to be less dense than the fields yet the devices are green and the fields are blue. In other words the color variations seem only to be an indication of thickness not density. Just curious.

 

That's cool.

 

Can this be used to verify 1943 and 1983 copper, compared to steel and zinc?

 

Nice presentation.

The differences in actual density are completely swamped by the differences in thickness. You'd need a very different X-ray setup to pick up crystal structure differences.

Not nearly as quickly or robustly as a magnet and a scale. But this way is a lot more fun!

 

Good question. Probably but I would guess weighing would be easier. I don't have either I can't try it.

 

I agree with both of your answers.

 

Now you have me wondering...how about a mixed alloy brass streaked cent? Excellent work and you are sure to be a big hit here for a long time to come!

 

Do you mind if I use your x-ray photo as screensaver?

 

Thanks Tommy. I just noticed that the obverse and reverse are ascew on the left.

 

Fine with me. Enjoy.

 

That would be an amazing way to determine the exact die rotation. VERY COOL!!!

 

Thank you for sharing your method/results. The science nerd in me is smiling ear-to-ear.

 

What's the significance of that, Enrico Fermi?

 

The copper cent stops x-rays slightly better than the copper plated zinc cent, because it is a bit denser.

 

cool and interesting.