A Simple Solution for Sorting Copper and Zinc Pennies Found Metal Detecting

[jeff of pa]

When sorting the coins you've found metal detecting, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a US copper penny and a US copper-clad zinc penny. Oftentimes the date can't be read easily (or at all!) due to the condition of the coin, and if the penny was minted in 1982 it's hard to tell since both types were made during that year. Here I show you my solution to this problem, which only costs about $0.02 to make.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Cool idea...labor intensive, so if you've got nothing but time on your hands it'd
be worth a try. Be a lot easier to get a lighted magnifier that clamps on the table
edge and just read the dates.