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1974 Philadelphia Mint Cents-Unusual

I am sorting pennies against a coin comparitor, which compares 2 coins against one another using an electrical impulse and I have gotten 2 - 1974 Philadelphia mint coins that are not sorting as though they are the same metal content as other pre 1982 coins that were 95% copper and 5% zinc. They also don't sort the smae as post 1982 pennies that are 97% zinc and 3% copper. I know that very old wheat pennies had some tin in them.

The coins weigh approximately what they should - 3.11 grams.

Anyone have any ideas?

Comments

  • Welcome to the boards.
    image
  • image to the forums!
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome aboard.

    Are both the coins unc?
    Tempus fugit.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome to the forums... why are you doing that? Cheers, RickO
  • Both the coins are circulated. Sorting the coins for the copper vs. zinc. People are paying a premium for copper pennies, however I'm just collecting right now.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Both the coins are circulated. Sorting the coins for the copper vs. zinc. People are paying a premium for copper pennies, however I'm just collecting right now. >>




    That makes it a lot more interesting since they had different origins yet are the same year.

    ...And it just happens to be a year that the mint was looking to change compositions.

    ttt

    Tempus fugit.
  • Batman23Batman23 Posts: 4,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    >>

    That makes it a lot more interesting since they had different origins yet are the same year.

    ...And it just happens to be a year that the mint was looking to change compositions.

    ttt >>



    I wonder if one is a small date and one a large date? link
  • It appears that they are large date cents, along with others that sort normally. I thought maybe you had something there.
    Great reference info Batman23!

    Thanks to all who welcomed me to the forum.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The comparator is like the coin acceptors in vending machines?

    I have a hunch this one's going to be difficult to figure out.
    Tempus fugit.
  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,877 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If they weigh 3.1 grams, that's correct for copper cent planchets.

    Have they been plated?

    Is is possible there is a planchet flaw/defect that's
    sorting them out?

    Why is the sorter saying they are different? Metal Composition?

    Because they are the proper weight, I'd say they are not off metals
    of any type, and without knowing more about your machine, and just
    how they sort/reject, it's tough to know what made them "rejects".....
    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • They appear to be normal coins. One weight 3.09 grams and the other 3.08. Which I believe to be fairly normal for a circulated coin to weigh less than the original mint weight.

    The machine uses a part from a slot machine called a coin comparitor. There is a sample coin in position in the machine, and when a coin passes thru the slot, an electrical impulse compares the 2 coins. If they are the same in metal structure, then the coin falls into the accept container, and if different, it falls into the reject container. I've sorted over 500,000 coins and had practically 100% accuracy, except these 2 1974 Philadelphia mint pennies. I'm comparing to 1980 penny, which should be the same metal content. When I compare these 2 1974 pennies to older wheat pennies (i.e. 1928 D), they indicate as a match, but other 1974 pennies do not. The older wheat pennies have a small amount of tin in them, and I suspect some of the 1974 Philadelphia mint pennies may also.

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