Need unc cents for school science fair.
Azjedi
Posts: 59 ✭✭✭
For my science project this year i decided to test the effects of different liquids on copper cents. I was wondering if anyone had 50 unc pre-1982 cents, with no toning. I will pay for them. we saw rolls on ebay, but i need to make sure they all look the same so i can measure the different effects.
1
Comments
Pick up an original roll. Very common and shouldn't cost much more than postage.
They'll all look the same......
A local coin shop may be your best or quickest way to get a roll.
If you are having problems finding one I have a roll I could send you.
Alternatively, it might not take that many rolls from a bank to get 50
If this is for a science experiment, then you'll want to be sure the surfaces are prepared to your specifications. Even original rolls of red copper cents will have started reacting to their environment. Some will be a little orange, some might have some spots. You want bare metal. Get a bunch at a bank, then dip, rinse, dry, and whiz the heck out of them so that they all have the same surfaces.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
can't find similar cents?
strip some new wire from home despot
At the risk of sounding pedantic, pre-1982 cents are not copper, they are bronze. If you are looking for copper, in addition to what @MsMorrisine suggested, you can purchase pure copper rounds and bars from most bullion dealers and eBay.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
If you are looking to show to the reaction with copper a small piece of copper plumbing pipe might work and could be sectioned off with tape to show each area. Very cheap and easy to find and it may be easier than having a bunch of cents to keep organized. The tape could also be marked with the liquid that the copper was exposed to.
I'm not sure how many 9-year-olds know what pedantic means....
OP - if you really want to use pre-1982 coins that's great, but remember that the newer ones are zinc on the inside but plated with copper on the outside (or bronze I suppose). So any experiment you do to measure the effects of liquids on the surface will work just fine with them as well. Maybe part of your experiement could be to compare the effects on a pre-1982 cent to the effect on a newer one to prove me right (or wrong!!!).
Successful BST transactions with: Cameonut, Rob41281
That is a great suggestion. The pipe could even be treated to ensure no coatings are on it and polished evenly.
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
If your teacher for what ever reason wants you to use pre 1982 cents, ask her why so that you can perform the task correctly. If it is for copper, then all posting here have told you correctly and ifthevamzarockin has made a great suggestion, but then if your teacher tells you it must be pre 1982 cents then follow her instructions. Let us know her answer and I'm sure your needs can be met out of your garage or with help.
Best of luck.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
@mothra454
"OP - if you really want to use pre-1982 coins that's great, but remember that the newer ones are zinc on the inside but plated with copper on the outside (or bronze I suppose). So any experiment you do to measure the effects of liquids on the surface will work just fine with them as well."
I agree the type of experiment you are doing new 2020 cents would work just as well and may be able to be obtained at your local bank for face value.
The pipe idea may make your job easier and should present well.
You are a 9 year old YN and if you want to do it the way YOU want to that is great also.
I have a roll I can send if you do not like any of the other options mentioned here.
I don't know the OP, so I did not assume he/she was a kid (as many parents help with "science projects"). Plus, if he/she is a kid wanting to learn ... he/she could just google "pedantic" and find out what it means.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
At Home Despot they will give you science experiment suggestions that you can’t refuse.
A menagerie of U.S. Mint medals
Thank you everyone for the advice. I chose this science experiment because of my interest in coin collecting. I'll ask my bank for newer pennies and maybe they will have older pennies too.
I would agree that a copper bar, sectioned/isolated with strips of waterproof tape would be a great way to control your experiment. A solid copper grounding rod or solid copper wire in a low gauge.
yeah.. the newest cents will be plated with pure copper.
get a $25 box and start shucking for new cents.
never tell anyone you're a coin collector. that idea makes people think you have money to steal.