For those of you who save copper cents.....

cars

How does this work? Does it use electrical current to determine metal content or does it go from the weight? They are the same size aren't they?

sumrtym

Typically, they use a coin comparator that uses a "sample" coin and checks off of it (electromagnetic signature) I believe. Yes, they are the same size, but the electromagnetic field is vastly different, as is their weight. Again, comparators to my knowledge don't use weight as a guideline however.

The main problem in construction is finding a good comparator (accurate) without anti-string tech (to prevent people from dropping a coin in via a string and pulling it out) as that can cause jamming issues when fed to quickly itself. Then it's all about how to build a good feed system to process the coins quickly without jams.

And no, I've only done it the old fashioned way.

secondrepublic

At 1,800 pennies per hour (2 seconds per penny), you could do it faster by hand. Assuming you have that many pennies to sort through.

Norseman88

Looks like a neat little separator, I would possibly consider something like this as my eyes have a hard time reading the dates on pennies even though I use a 4 power glass. I've already got 550 pounds and have cut way down on buying rolls from the bank, another thing I don't like about this device is I like to sort the pennies for wheat cents and varieties so once you've seperated the copper from the zinc you'd still have to sort through the copper cents.

MoneyLA

the easiest way is just to save cents dated 1981 and earlier. 1982 can be copper or zinc. 1983 and afterwards are zinc.

sorting through 1982s isn't worth the trouble.

frankly, I find very few pre-82 cents in circulation anymore.

sumrtym

I was doing it to fill up a couple of coke display bottles (20" glass bottles). I like the way a bunch of pennies look in them. I found that copper in rolls runs from the low to mid 20% on average (but that was also counting 1982 copper cents in those totals).

SilverBaron

Just guessing.... it looks like it is using a simple counter-balance on the first stage.

With the copper cent being heavier.... it would "drop thru" the first stage.

Notice the bolt & nut at the upper left hand side with no coin on it [ first pix]...

and then with a cent on it that has sunk down... [ last pix ] ....

and the bolt & nut has tipped up & in.



If Zinc..... it just falls thru the second hole.


Simple but effective!!

cars

I think you got it John. Seems simple now that you pointed that out

brokeer

I just drop them on a table. The coppers have a nice ring. The zincs go thud. Quick and easy and works every time. Anyone else use this method?

lathmach

SilverBaron has it explained.

Ray