I think I can quit hunting copper cents now

[JobIII]

All joking aside. This was in the copper bucket. A good reminder to anyone hoarding copper cents - Always weigh your 1983's cents. Just hope it's real.

 

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[ToddsPoint]

All ‘83s are zinc. It’s the ‘82s you have to weigh. ‘82s can be solid copper or zinc.

 

[l.cutler]

All ‘83s are zinc. It’s the ‘82s you have to weigh. ‘82s can be solid copper or zinc.

Some 1983's struck on leftover copper planchets have been found. This one definitely needs to be looked into further.

 

[JobIII]

Some 1983's struck on leftover copper planchets have been found. This one definitely needs to be looked into further.

This is also what i'm hoping for. Currently navigating through the murky PCGS membership & submission form process.

 

[meetyathere]

All joking aside. This was in the copper bucket. A good reminder to anyone hoarding copper cents - Always weigh your 1983's cents. Just hope it's real.

Some of this

 

[Fugio]

All ‘83s are zinc. It’s the ‘82s you have to weigh. ‘82s can be solid copper or zinc.

A little trick I learned, as long as you're not concerned about touching the coins surface, is to flip the coin and listen to the sound it makes (standard coin flip). Any coin with high copper content will ring like a bell when flipped; any coin with zinc planchet will simply thud. This is how I quickly tested 1982 cents, and works like a charm.

 

[Plumbata]

Duuuude, congrats!!! A copper 1983 is one of my bucketlisters, I weigh every one I see but doubt I'll ever find such a rarity. I don't like slabs personally but something like that should definitely be sent in for grading and authentication. Amazing find and thanks for sharing, it's very encouraging to know those things are still out there!

 

[JobIII]

It's out for authentication now. Can't wait to see what PCGS tells me 🤞🤞🤞🤞

I regret not looking for the 1982 copper D variety. I must have handled over 4 million copper cents. Definitely wonder if i missed one in there.

 

[Louie D]

How does PCGS charge for authentication? Is it straight rate or based on perceived item value?

 

[JobIII]

I'm not the best person to answer this as it is my inaugural submission. And I had a lot of questions that i'm sort of hoping I did right.

The membership was like a couple hundred for the level i chose $250 (so i maxed free vouchers)
Then you just pay for the value / grading type - $70
Pay for shipping insurance - $140 round trip

But I did submit 8 other coins, which resulted in $320 savings

Combined shipping was a way to save

For 9 coins and a membership I think I am paying ~ $500

 

[JobIII]

Posting a quick video update.

This details things before shipping to PCGS. Fun things like, how this penny was found, the plan to send it to PCGS now and 2ish years ago, and all the luck surrounding its survival after being found.

Spoiler don't store potentially valuable coins in a cardboard box in a location where water could reach it...

This may be super boring stuff, but it's been a really fun and exciting journey thus far. Figured share it here for anyone interested to listen.

~JobIII

 

[JobIII]

Quick update

PCGS just billed and emailed me the grade is ready. Not sure if that indicates the coin was authenticated as a mint error, or just a really expensive 1983 zinc penny or other.
Going to let this one be a surprise when it arrives and I unbox the coin.

~JobIII

 

[pepperj]

Quick update

PCGS just billed and emailed me the grade is ready. Not sure if that indicates the coin was authenticated as a mint error, or just a really expensive 1983 zinc penny or other.
Going to let this one be a surprise when it arrives and I unbox the coin.

~JobIII

Best of luck
Be sure to post up the results.

 

[JobIII]

The coin just arrived back from PCGS. Opened it without checking the website which felt like a spoiler.

 

[CRHer700]

The coin just arrived back from PCGS. Opened it without checking the website which felt like a spoiler.

Great job on the error @JobIII ! That is certainly not an easy coin to find.