1982-D mint small date copper penny
coinbase21
Posts: 9 ✭
so i need suggestions i cant afford to have this coin sent off for grading services need suggestions with what is my next step to get it checked and recognized?
1
Comments
The small date you have is zinc, I can see plating bubbles. My best guess is that your scale is off.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Does your scale ordinarily correctly differentiate between bronze and zinc cents? A zinc cent that is only slightly overweight (2.6g) would round up to 3g on a scale with insufficient sensitivity.
My next step would be to create a simple balance with a ruler or popsicle stick, then check known bronze and zinc cents on one side and your coin on the other. If it is truly on a bronze planchet, certification is a must, there are plenty of folks here who could help arrange that for you.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
its a brand new scales i bought it cause i thought my other was off. spent 39.99 at sears for it
seanq yes i did the pencil and coin balance and this coin holds to the table when i put a known 1983 coin and up on opposite end.
How is your scale calibrated? I don't think that a scale designed to weigh 11 pounds will be sensitive enough to make an accurate measurement of 2.5 grams vs 3.1 grams. The range needs to be sensitive to 0.1 gram Have you weighed other copper cents and other zinc cents for comparison?
I knew it would happen.
ive weighed it in both grams and oz get 3.1 on grams and 0.105822 on OZ ive even done a reverse weight check by zeroing my scales with coin on scales and remove it and get 3 grams i add the coin back i get 0 zeroed back out the zero the scales and put coin back and get 3.1 grams.
While I still think the issue is your scale the next step is to have it verified by one of the major TPG's NGC, ANACS, or PCGS.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
was your other scales off compare with brand new scales
Here is all my 1982 small date large date coins on the dot 3.1 grams each all copper
I’d suggest taking it to a jeweler, coin dealer or pharmacist with a more precise scale and weighing it there.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
i took it to a local jeweler and they tested it they told me to contact NCG for more advice and what to do the problem is i being unemployed since 2019 due to covid and being covid positive and broke due to everything thats happened from surgery to covid and no work cant afford their services.
https://www.pcgs.com/dealers/details/1377/5 this is where i went
I suggest you contact ANACS, they are more geared to the collector vs dealer and are less expensive.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I wasn’t suggesting that you get it “tested”, just weighed on a precise scale. At this point, it would be premature and quite possibly a waste of money to submit the coin for grading, even If you could afford it.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
It appears that your scale doesn't have enough resolution to determine the difference between copper and zinc cents. The readout is 3 grams, not 3.0 grams. If that's the case, anything that weighs less than 2.5 gms will show a readout of 2 and anything more will show readout of 3. A zinc cent can weigh slightly more than 2.5 grams and still be in tolerance, and that would show a readout of 3 grams on your scale.
If you really think you have something, you need to weigh it on an accurate scale with a resolution of at least 0.1 grams.
If you did beat the astronomical lottery type odds and found something good, the next step would be to get it authenticated by a Third party grading service like PCGS. I would strongly recommend you are absolutely sure about the weight before spending the $50 or more to send it in. IMO, it looks like there may be some plating bubbles, which means it's zinc, but it's hard to tell from the pics. It looks like there may a rim dent above the T in TRUST. Look closely to see if it is gray and there is any evidence of zinc corrosion
i used my cell phone camera to take pictures
Those coins look cleaned in the last photo - you aren't cleaning them, are you?
no i have them in a penny book i have had them since 1985 when my grandfather gave them to me for Christmas
the scale says right on it that it is in 1 grams increments
Max 5kg d=1g
Since it's a well circulated coin, I'd just give it the "ring test." Take a pre-82 cent and flip it in the air off your thumb (coin flip style) and you'll hear a distinct ring, do the same for a post-82 cent and you'll hear a very distinct difference between the two sounds. Then come back and tell us which your coin is.
I'm in the zinc camp based upon the orange peel look of the fields.