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Do pre-1982 pennies weigh more than post 1982 pennies?
In case you are wondering, the number of pre-1982 pennies has a mass of 3.1 grams. (However, pennies made after 1982 is about 2.5 grams).
How much should a 1982 penny weigh?
3.11 grams
There are many other ways to tell the two metallic varieties apart though, including weighing 1982 pennies. “The best scale to use for weighing your 1982 cents is one that measures down to at least the tenth of a gram,” he says; brass 1982 cents weigh 3.11 grams whereas the zinc cents come in at just 2.5 grams.
Do pre-1982 pennies weigh more?
Before 1982, pennies were 95% copper and 5% zinc. Then after 1982, the compostion was 97.6% zinc, and 2.4% copper. So this means that the pennies made before 1982 will have a different mass from those made after 1982.
Do all pennies weight the same?
since there are a total of 50 pennies in the roll. Each of the older pennies weighs 3.11 grams while each of the newer pennies weighs 2.50 grams so the total weight of the pennies in the roll will be 3.11x + 2.50y giving us a second equation 3.11x + 2.50y = 138.42.
Why do pre-1982 and post-1982 pennies have different masses?
Since 1982, U.S. pennies have been produced with 97.6% zinc with a thin plating of copper. Since each metal has a different density, pre- and post-1982 pennies have different masses. A mixture of pre- and post-1982 pennies will represent the naturally occurring mixture of two isotopes of an imaginary element.
Why do some 1982 pennies weigh more than others?
The new penny looked identical to the previous coins but it was cheaper to produce. While the new penny was the exact same size as the old one, it weighed less because zinc is slightly less dense than copper. The change from copper to zinc took place in 1982.
How can I tell if my 1982 penny is worth anything?
Most 1982 pennies in circulated condition are only worth either their face value of $0.01 or their weight in copper if they are of the copper variety. These coins can only sell for a premium in uncirculated condition.
Why are pennies made before 1982 heavier?
Changing the composite from solid copper to a zinc and copper alloy also changed the weight of the coin itself. Pennies made prior to 1982 are composed completely of copper and are significantly heavier than their zinc and copper alloy counterparts of today.
How much does a 1981 penny weigh?
Copper pennies minted between 1962 and 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc by weight, and each penny weighs 3.11 grams.
What pennies should be weighed?
For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them. Solid copper pennies weigh 3.11 grams (+/- 0.130 g.), whereas the copper plated zinc pennies weigh only 2.5 grams (+/- 0.100 g.).