ok another question

gene2393

ok i am going to the bank tomarrow to get a box of pennies. well anyways i know about the different varieties of 1982. well how can i tell these apart, when i have one in my hand?

gene2393

DieClash

The best method is to have a balance. If you place a 1981 or earlier dated copper coin on one side of the balance and a 1982 on the other side, if the 1982 is copper then the balance should level provided it is properly zeroed. If the 1981 or earlier side drops signigicantly compared to the 1982 side then the 1982 coin is of the copper-coated zinc variety. Sometimes you can just tell by the feel of the weight of the coin in hand, but a balance is the best method for certainty.

You could probably make do with a crude balance. I bought a cheap plastic thing back in the '80s for a few bucks that works just fine for me. Check the local coin supply shops or else check online for coin supplies. Amos Advantage is big but if you Google coin supplies you'll likely come up with alot of hits.

Good luck.

PrivateCoinCollector

Or you can use a scale that goes down to tenths of a gram. Weight a 1981 and any 1982 that does not weight the same use it for a fishing weight.