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7 Posts |
 Posted - 05/15/2006 : 15:21:20
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Good afternoon everyone!
I was speaking to a company that sells furnace equipment today. The person stated that their furnace will definitely melt copper (although I would need a carbide graphite crucible). The only problem in this process seems to be the 5% zinc that might be an issue.
He stated that if I attempt to burn off the zinc (because its melting point is much lower than copper), it might leave some ash which would cause other impurities and mess up the metal.
Has anyone tried to do this yet? If so, what was your process? The site I was looking at was You must be logged in to see this link.
Thank you,
Noel
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realcent
Forum Admin
USA
246 Posts |
 Posted - 05/15/2006 : 17:26:19
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Hi nchap,
I have never tried to melt my copper cents. I am hoping for them to one day trade the way 90% does today so it wont be necessary...people will accept them in trade as is because they know the metal content.
That being said, I wouldn't mind knowing how to do it. It seems really interesting, and I probably would get a kick out of being able to make my own copper rounds.
The site you linked to is very interesting. I am going to go back and look at it in more depth now.
Thanks!
RealCent
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For more copper cent hoarding information check out:
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Ardent Listener
Administrator
USA
4841 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 20:02:09
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Would a centrifugal seperate the metals?
Bad money drives out good money. |
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7 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 21:22:08
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A centrifugal system might work on a large scale, but on a small scale it might be too dangerous (for home use).
I'm going to do some more research on this topic. |
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5 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 23:06:03
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Melting the metals seems so complicated...i would hope that a market develops for pre 82 pennies the same way there is one for 90% silver coins.
I put my copper pennies into rolls with a CU sign on the wrapper.
I would be delighted if i could just walk into a coin store and get 1.5 face value and move on.
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9 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 05:49:42
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quote:
Originally posted by t206
I put my copper pennies into rolls with a CU sign on the wrapper.
Thats what I do. I just use a black sharpie marker.
Proud Sponsor of the American Military-Industrial Complex |
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7 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 08:14:29
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I understand that the process may be complicated at first but a pre-1982 penny is considered #2 copper (greater than 94% copper) and has a value that is much lower than pure copper. I started calling around and found that most scrap dealers are buying #2 copper at $2.25 to $2.30 per pound. This is quite a disparity from the price that Kitco is giving at $3.00+ per pound for pure copper.
We are all losing out because of the 5% Zinc content in the coin. Sporlan has proven that pennies can be sorted by metal content efficiently. Now it is time to take the process one step further.
Thank you,
Noel |
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Ardent Listener
Administrator
USA
4841 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 10:26:47
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I posted about that in the bullion forum in the scrap prices a while back.
You are correct pennies are #2 copper. My guess is that the coinflation site uses #1 copper in their quotes. If so, that is an overly-inflated quote.
That is not to say that copper pennies don't have a lot of value and may not be worth sorting out. Just like 90% silver coins, if and when they are melted, the cost of melting will be reflected in their value. I feel that copper pennies and nickels will find a market all their own over and above their metal/face values.
Even if they need to be melted for scrap in order to make a profit, there are smelters already in place that can do that much cheaper and better than most of us ever could.
Bad money drives out good money. |
Edited by - Ardent Listener on 05/16/2006 10:31:57 |
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Posted - 05/16/2006 : 11:14:11
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quote:
That is not to say that copper pennies don't have a lot of value and may not be worth sorting out. Just like 90% silver coins, if and when they are melted, the cost of melting will be reflected in their value. I feel that copper pennies and nickels will find a market all their own over and above their metal/face values.
I agree with you that pennies in the future will be treated like 90% silver is today. Just wait till the mint changes our coins again and does away with the copper pennies or all pennies. Most of the sheeple will just turn in their pennies when ordered to do so. They will have to find mine to get them. Better bring a shovel and lots of time.
A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain. --- Robert Frost |
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Has anyone here tried melting pennies yet?
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