What is this 1983 penny made out of?
I hope you can see the images of my penny. I have been coin roll hunting and found a 1983 penny over 2.5 grams. Can anyone tell me what it might be made out of? It's appears dark and was red in color but it seems to be turning dark. It weighs 2.95 grams.
Comments
user_62563
Level 2
So does that mean a zinc penny can be coated a lot with copper resulting in a higher weight? Do I have to start another blog to ask another question about another off weight penny? I have a 1945 wheat cent and it weighs 1.8 grams it is nonmagnetic and appears to be copper. This 1.8 gram coin has no mint mark.When I compare the 1945 penny to my 1945d which appears brassy in color the 1945d weighs 3.18 grams were as the 1945 no mint mark looks copper and weighs much less 1.8 grams . Any ideas why one would be so different in weight then the other?
user_62563
Level 2
So does that mean a zinc penny can be coated a lot with copper resulting in a higher weight? Do I have to start another blog to ask another question about another off weight penny? I have a 1945 wheat cent and it weighs 1.8 grams it is nonmagnetic and appears to be copper. This 1.8 gram coin has no mint mark.When I compare the 1945 penny to my 1945d which appears brassy in color the 1945d weighs 3.18 grams were as the 1945 no mint mark looks copper and weighs much less . Any ideas why one would be so different in weight then the other?
Mike
Level 7
No its not a higher weight it's a coating ..A nickel has more copper so does the silver Eagle.
Conan Barbarian
Level 5
there are a few varieties of the 1983 cent that are made of copper but it would be 3.11 as mike said so check with some other perfesionals
user_62563
Level 2
Thanks folks I appreciate all the advice I will get some weights and calibrate the scale. I kept this coin during my coin hunt because of how it felt in my hand it felt like nice.
Well worn Copper
Level 5
Occasionally I find a cent that looks different and put it aside. Miniature scales come in handy for that. Most of the time its nothing, but they're still finding new errors out there from cents struck in the 1980's, so I'll keep looking.
Longstrider
Level 6
I agree. Scale is most likely off. If not, you have something odd.
user_9073
Level 5
Mike is right about checking your scale. My scale does a self check a 0.0 grams. I also have two check weights, 5.0 grams and 20.0 grams. If all three, 0.0, 5.0 and 20.0 don't check I don't trust the readings. Also you cound have a copper cent with and altered date. Look closely for tool marks.
user_62563
Level 2
Thanks Mike
Mike
Level 7
The cent should weigh2.5 grams. If it was copper it would weigh3.11. So maybe you have to calibrate your scale. All this information is in the red book. If you don't have one I would suggest getting one. It's a great reference book has everything you need. The cent is mad of zinc with a copper overlay. The 82 are copper the 83 zinc. There have been two or three 83 made of copper. Very rare. Mike