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Underweight 1903 Indian Head penny?

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  • KiloBay
    • Jul 2021
    • 78
    #1

    Underweight 1903 Indian Head penny?

    Hello everyone, it’s been a while, but I came across this 1903 Indian Head penny. At first, I was thinking it had a grease error because the word “OF” is pretty much missing, along with a lot of the word “America” and thought this could be the cause of the mushy look.
    But then I weighed it, comes in at 2.89 grams it did jump a bit as low as 2.85g but never above the 2.89g. Technically out of mint-tolerance specs, but I find a lot of blogs online about how well-worn coins, such as this one would, or should weigh less?

    Could this be the reason of its lite weight? Or could this, technically still be an underweight planchet-type error?

    I'd appreciate any input on this, thank you all very much
    IMG_5394.jpg IMG_5390.jpg IMG_5392 v2.jpg
    Tags: None
  • MintErrors
    Minterrors.org
    • Jun 2015
    • 3554
    #2
    I understand your concern, but this coin is mildly underweight. I don't have the reference in front of me, but a spot on planchet should weigh close to 3.1g if I remember correctly for the Indian Head cent. Most of the weight are in the red book at the coin intro pages as well.

    I am sure wear can reduce it some, but this is probably just a rolled thin or light planchet. I suggest looking closely at the rim all the way around the coin to see if any part of the rim is significantly thinner. It could be a thin planchet. If I can find my reference on the coin weights and types, I will add it here soon.

    One last thing. People like tossing coins into liquids that is acid based, and they can significantly reduce the weight of a coin.. the coin surface will look totally unnatural in most cases.
    Gary Kozera
    Website: https://MintErrors.org

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    • PNWMAKES
      • Dec 2021
      • 529
      #3
      US Coins, weight Composition and Tolererances.jpg Here is my reference for weights of coins.
      Last edited by PNWMAKES; 05-19-2022, 08:06 PM.

      Comment

      • KiloBay
        • Jul 2021
        • 78
        #4
        Gary, this makes a lot of sense and thank you very much, I really like the coin reference. Thanks again

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        • MintErrors
          Minterrors.org
          • Jun 2015
          • 3554
          #5
          No problem, I try to logically approach these things.

          PNWMAKES nice chart. Thanks for the assist. The one I have is proudly buried on my old PC and it would have taken a while to locate.
          Gary Kozera
          Website: https://MintErrors.org

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