I am working on cataloging the cents today. I have several 1982 sets that are zinc, however, they look like all the others. How can I tell the difference between the copper plated zinc coins and the regular copper coins without looking at the printing on the holders?

Thanks,

Linda

their weight.

there's more info on it in this thread: http://coinpeople.com/index.php?showtopic=4762

I thought maybe there was a way to tell by eye. Since the coins are a set of 7 in a sealed pouch, I break them out to weigh them and I don't want to do that. Thanks

I'm afraid there's no way to tell it by eye, unless you have superman's eyes and can do spectography with your eyes....

A set of 7?
Sounds like one of those sets that has all 7 var. of '82 cents.
Aren't they marked?

Well since a great many of the 1982 cents had problems with the plating, if you examine them closely you will probably find tiny blisters or bubbles in the plating on the zinc coins.

After re-reading my post and the responses, I have to think I may have had a slight case of cranial rectosis when I asked this question. Thank you for your responses.