I recently purchased 6 large cents, including this one. I weighed it on a scale that graduates at 0.1 grams, and it came to 9.9 to 10.0 (vs the 10.89 standard). The coin looks corroded, but could corrosion remove that much weight? And still with such good detail?
Ten percent? I'd think so. And especially with copper and nickel coins, corrosion tends to preserve or even enhance detail -- think of "restoring" dates on Buffalo nickels.
So @Myles, I'm going to assume you are "in the business" of collecting coins, since you admit to bulk purchases of large cents (a rather specific area, one in which you really need to know what you are doing), one of which you show on this thread. Before you buy anymore coins, you must purchase a scale that goes to 2 decimals. (I got mine on eBay for less than $10 & it works great.) The amount of weight you think is gone is negligible on that coin (considering the amount of wear). I presume you have a Red Book, & should definitely have a descent scale. Just sayin'...
Clearly my knowledge is not focused on large cents. I’m more informed on Morgans Thanks for the reply!
On the other hand, I hear there important London collectors offering big bucks for weight variations like this.
I have collected Large Cents for several years. I have found that those which have been acid etched can lose significant weight. That condition can often be observed accompanied by a reduction in the thickness of the coin. Your coin surface shows some potential of etching.
I don't think it's deliberate etching as much as it is simply incidental environmental damage. Perhaps it's a dug coin, and the soil was sufficiently pH-imbalanced to have corroded it somewhat.
Reviving the O.P. I have recently purchased an 1848 large cent (not the small date version which I understand has been counterfeited). This was my first purchase and was bought at a retailer/antique shop. I have since weighed and measured the diameter of the coin which came out to 10 grams and only 27mm (the standard is 27.5mm). The 0.5mm discrepancy would certainly account for the shortage in the weight. So far I have not been able to find any information about a slightly smaller cent being minted. That said, I am thinking this coin may be a counterfeit, can anyone help with this??
