Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Lincoln Memortal Cents

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Expert: - 10/1/2009


Question
Is there a way to tell by looking the difference in metal of 1982 Lincoln Memorial cents.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Jim:

Both types of cents were struck in 1982, the transition year for the metal content from copper to copper plated zinc. There are actually 7 different varieties of metal composition and large or small date varieties struck that year.

Basically, there are two ways to tell the difference of metals. One, to weigh them, and two, to drop them. The copper cent (before 1982) weighs more than the zinc cent (after 1982), 3.1 grams compared to 2.5 grams.

Get a pre-1982 cent and drop it on the floor, on concrete or on a glass table. Do you notice the distinctive 'pinging' sound a copper cent makes? Now drop a cent made after 1982. The sound is much 'duller' isn't it?

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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