1982 Penny can you tell if it is copper or zinc by holding it in your hand

[kfs]

I have always had a pretty good percentage of looking at pennies and being able to tell if they were pre 82 or post 82. But know where close to 100% accuracy of coarse.

So people have asked how do you tell if an 82 penny is copper or a copper coated zinc penny and people have said you have to weigh them to know for sure. Have you ever tried comparing an 82 to a say 1976 penny in your hand. There is a difference of about 6 tenths of a gram between them. It is actually quite a noticeable difference when you compare them to a know copper penny

 

[thripp]

I usually sort them through the Ryedale twice and if they still get rejected when compared to a copper penny I just dump them.

 

[kfs]

Based on my non scientific hold them in your hand weighing methodology I say 75% seems like a good bet. However I honestly never take the time to tell for sure. I am really interested in wheats or earlier if lucky. Not that I do not throw pre-82s into their own container. I just cannot see spending any time on the 82 conundrum.