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Sheikh_yer_BuTay
Penny Pincher Member
USA
232 Posts |
 Posted - 08/02/2010 : 11:30:53
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Hey everyone!
I am still in the newbie mode on bank-mining.
I have gone thru my first $1,000 bag of halves. First I rim checked all coins. Got skunked on 90% Next, I looked for 40%. I cannot tell any difference between the rims of 40% and copper clad, so, I face checked them all. Skunked again, however, there is about $200 in bicentenials in this bag. I decided to use my scale on the Bi's to make sure I didn't miss any silver-clad halves. So far I have found about 25 silver-clads by wieght!
Here is the trouble. My scale is for measuring larger amounts of stuff (like Sterling flatware). It will only wieigh down to tenths of a gram. It is not sensitive enough to measure into the hundredths of a gram. So, I am thinking I may be getting some false positives.
I am using a 1969 silver-clad half as a control weight. On my scale it weighted 11.4 grams instead of the 11.50 g. in the Red Book, so, that is my control number for this scale. Still, I wonder if I need more accuracy.
Would anyone out there have some ideas on how to tell a silver-clad bi-centinial from a regular copper-clad?
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oober
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1304 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 11:56:10
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BC should look the same at a 65-69. Maybe your not using a bright enough light when edge searching?
I use a bright desk lamp and keep it about 6-10 in above a piece of black craft felt (from hobby lobby). The black backround cuts down the glare, most 40%ers stand out like a sore thumb.
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fb101
Administrator
USA
2856 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 12:19:00
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Silver-clad issues (regular circulation in years 1965-1970, proof set in years 1975-1976):
Weight: 11.50 g
Composition:
Outer layers: 80% silver, 20% copper
Inner layers: 20.9% silver, 79.1% copper
Silver content: 4.60 g (0.1479 troy oz)
Copper-nickel clad issues (regular circulation from 1971 to date):
Weight: 11.34 g (0.4 oz avoirdupois)
Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
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With a .16 gram spread between the two, allowance for wear will make it almost impossible to trust weight as a determinant. I'd think you're going to have to go for a color spread. I've found these in the wild, and the color always gave them away immediately. Given that all of these trade in melt range, I'd use a dip cleaner if necessary. I would not suggest that with numismatic coins. |
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killerken53
Penny Pincher Member
172 Posts |
 Posted - 08/02/2010 : 12:56:31
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| I always check by sound. The silver clads have a distinct sound when bounced off a hard surface. |
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AGCoinHunter
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
685 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 13:50:37
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| Waterfall method. Drop them one at a time from about 2-3 feet, you will know every time you drop a silver-clad or silver. I never check dates unless its a small amount. |
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Sheikh_yer_BuTay
Penny Pincher Member
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 14:17:47
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Okay, judge them by color and sound peal instead of weight. LOL! But what if you are color blind and going deaf?
Yeah, the silver luster on the 1969 is unmistakable compared to the nickel on copper clads.
There are some things I am going to have to adjust in my lifestyle. Gotta make space in the garage for the bright lights & equipment for this renewed coin obsession ( ahem, er... hobby, that is). |
Edited by - Sheikh_yer_BuTay on 08/02/2010 14:19:11 |
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wayne1956
Penny Pincher Member
177 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 14:41:52
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quote:
Originally posted by killerken53
I always check by sound. The silver clads have a distinct sound when bounced off a hard surface.
I do the same. I edge check first, then take the rest of the roll and splash them in my hand, listening for that tone difference. If you are unfamiliar with the way it sounds, take a 40% half, put it in the middle of 20 other halves, them drop them from one hand to the other (not all at once but more like a waterfall). You will be able to clearly hear the tone difference. It will work with the silver bicentennials as they are also 40%. |
Edited by - wayne1956 on 08/03/2010 14:34:41 |
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Kiwiman
Penny Pincher Member
225 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 16:57:28
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| try weighing 25 of the suspected silver bicent. vs. 25 known clads |
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Silverhead
New Member
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 06:27:18
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| The silver drop works for me,just tell by the sound!! |
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JobIII
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1507 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 16:37:07
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I wouldn't bother with the weighing it seems just a little too much extra work. |
Selling Copper cents. $0 FV available at 1.4xFV. Also interested in trading for wheat pennies and other coins Please pm me for requests or inquiries.
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beauanderos
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2408 Posts |
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Sheikh_yer_BuTay
Penny Pincher Member
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 21:50:57
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Thanks everyone. It sounds like most people use the sound method when in doubt.
COIN FIND OF THE DAY:
Lately, I always ask if they have any large coins in the till when I pay for something. Halves and dollars is what I am looking for. Today, I did the same routine and the man answered back all he had was the "over-sized" half and that I could have it if I wanted. "You mean a dollar coin, right?", I said. I handed him a FRN and held out my hand. He then handed me an Ike dollar, 1971D, with 50 cents change! Then he moved on to the next customer before I could say anything. I felt a little guilty for not correcting him... but then it went away. |
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TXBullion
Penny Collector Member
374 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 22:16:53
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Or whenever you ask for a roll of pennies or nicks out of the register, they screw up the change, especially on the clear unlabeled rolls, they dont know how much is in them  |
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searching for silver-clad halves
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