Realcent.org

Being new to sorting, I am gathering equipment necessary for the "sport". I can see the need for accurate scales to weigh coin, but have not been able to find much information on what to look for in digital scales.

Do any of you with more experience have any tips or suggestions for what to look for when purchasing digital scales?

Thanks!

I have a super cheap one from Harbor Freight. I'm just looking for the difference on the 1982 pennies though so it doesn't need to be super accurate. Worked great for me, got it for $7.99 on sale.

Got one off eBay for about 10 dollars total. Works great and finally had to change the batteries after year and a half. One important thought is to get one that uses AA or AAA batteries and not the watch battery kind so changing them wont cost to much money.

you'll want it to be able to measure in grams and troy ounces.

if you are weighing individual coins, it needs to be fairly sensitive.

I got mine at the local coin dealer. It's a US-Magnum 500gram scale that also does troy ounces and comes with a 100g counterweight. It wasn't cheap, though ($35.00).

My ear works great... no batteries needed, always ready, and easily distinguishes between copper and zinc. Both of them were free, too

Market Harmony wrote:My ear works great... no batteries needed, always ready, and easily distinguishes between copper and zinc. Both of them were free, too

I must have a more advanced model, cause mine can also distinguish the 43 steelies

i use a triton t2 - made by myweigh

300g capacity in 0.1g increments

weighs in grams, ounces, troy ounces and pennyweight

i got mine off ebay for around $15 or $20 shipped - but that was almost 4 years ago...

http://www.myweigh.com/pocketscales_triton.html

does not come with the calibration weight - i just used 20 brand new nickels - seemed to be close

Thanks for the input.

I should have been more specific about my intended use, which would be to weigh batches of pennies in quantites up to $100 FV. Looking on eBay, I see a number of scales with a capacities in the 70 to 75 lb. range. I assume when people are selling $100 or $50 FV that they are using digital scales rather than counting. Is that right?

For comparing 1982 copper vs. zinc, I have been pleased with a simple balance beam I made from two tongue depressers. Very low tech, but quick and effective!

My understanding is that people sell by actual weight, using digital scales most of the time (example: 5lb, 20lb, 68lb, 500lb). The actual face value will fluctuate and is almost never an exact FV amount (ex: $50),unless specifically advertised that way. Remember that the weight per penny will vary, depending on usage, how worn it is, how much gunk/dirt are on them etc...

I am using DigiWeigh for the lite stuff it goes to 600.0 Grams need to get a check Weight of 600 grams cost less than $20.00

looked into 100 # scale to sell rocks an for decent accuracy its $150 or more.

I think my bulk buys were counted??