1982, 1982D, 1983, 1983D and 1989 Pennies All 3.1 grams

Hey guys so I have a friend who told me a few weeks ago that certain pennies are worth more than their face value. And I figured why not look for them. I means the odds of it happening were slim to none but i figured let's give it a try anyway. Long story short the pennies I listed in the titles are what I have in my possession. I've been told that these pennies should weigh about 2.5 grams but I weighed them and they all weighed 3.1. What does that mean?

 

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Are you sure your scale is correct?

 

Yea I'm sure because I was also weighing other pennies made from those years and years after 1983 and they were giving me 2.5 grams except the 1989 one I mentioned

 

As far as I know/understand. The Cents [all types] since 1864 cents have the weight of 3.11 grams. The first change, came in 1943 weight was 2.70 grains, because of the WW II shortage of copper, then later back to 3.11 grains in 1944. The next change, was in 1982 to 2.5 grains. So, it's interesting that you have some at this weight. A few cents, close to the change over, that were of the 3.11 gram weight, got minted. This would have happened because of stuck planchets in the mint systems, that because loose later in the systems, and were minted with the wrong weight planchets. There have been several found, after being minted. Maybe you are lucky. Let us know what you have for sure, if you decide to send them in the certify.

 

Yea I found it strange that I found all these but I weighed them multiple times and that's what the scale gave me

 

The 82 is normal. The 82-D large date is normal.
The other 3 you are describing an off metal error.
These coins are supposed to be zinc, and you are saying they are copper.
To even find 1 such coin in your lifetime would be incredibly rare and lucky and almost impossible.
But you have 3 of them.
I just bowled a 301.

 

Yea I know... I only took the a photo of the 1982 one weighing 3.1 grams. But I'll take a photo of the others I mentioned tomorrow and post it up here to prove it

 

We would love to see them.

 

We would love to see pictures.

 

Without picture proof.. Nothing

 

Mis-calibrated scale was the first thing that came to mind.

 

It means you are doing something wrong.
No offense, we welcome new collectors here, but what you are describing is not possible when it comes to the 3 pennys from 1983 onward. But please post a photo so we can help you figure out what you are doing wrong.

 

I believe all of the off metal Lincolns (modern) have come from Denver.
So the 83 and 89 would be unusual to say the least.
There have been a few 83-D's I believe, but still ultra rare when you compare the few with the billions that were minted.
I'm not making fun of the OP, I'm not being rude to the new poster, I just find the claim to be nearly impossible.

 

Can't wait to see them.

 

I would take them to a Jewelry Store to compare your Scale . Just to make sure your scale is calibrated properly. Show us some pic's OK

 

Just to put this into perspective. Assuming the 1982 P and D are regular copper Large dates, the US mint made 21 Billion (BILLION with a B) 83, 83D and 89 cents. I haven't done the research but I think there only a few (less than 5) examples of these dates verified to be struck on copper planchets. Doing some rough, back of the napkin math, the probability of finding 1 is higher than winning the powerball.

The probability of finding 3? Let's just say that if you play pool and break at the start of the game there is a possibility that the balls will bounce around and end up in the same position as the original rack. You think that's going to happen?

Not trying to be condescending to the OP, just trying to give you an idea what of what you're claiming and why you're seeing the high level of skepticism.

 

You need to check again. Coins after 82 would be way way special

 

I like your wording. Thats how we roll

 

Lol. Thats a coffee nose gusher