What to look for when sorting copper

[gettin copper]

Hi guys, new to the game here, but learned a ton the last few days from this forum. tyty

I just got my ryedale but not sure I know the correct way to sort. First run all pennies to separate zink from copper. Then completely disregard the zincs? No need to check or keep any? Then hand sort the copper for wheats, ih's, and anything else funcky? Any need to check 1959-81 lincolns for anything special?

thank you, gl

[inflationhawk]

Your method is pretty much how I do it. I try to watch the zinc bucket as I'm sorting to catch anything odd that comes out; old wheats, Indian head, or dimes.

I do double sort my copper accepts. Then I'll hand sort, looking for wheats, and roll the coppers. Zincs go back to the bank loose for the coin counter machine.

[Number21]

I believe you can set the ryedale to spit out just the wheats, if you use one for a reference coin and sort out the zincs first.

[ed_vantage17]

This is how I roll. First run a "zinc accept" where you have a post '82 penny in the comparator. Then rerun all the copper with a "copper accept" with a pre '82. This will sort out the older wheat (1941 and older i think) as they have a measurable amonut f tin in them. Now you have "double sorted" copper and some good wheats pulled out.

[VWBEAMER]

If you run a copper accept, and then throw out all the zincs you're going to miss the dimes, older wheats, 2 1/2 dollar gold pieces, steel pennies, etc.

[inflationhawk]

It's not too hard to spot dimes or steel pennies. I do accept that I'll miss a few older wheat pennies. The few times I have double sorted zincs to try and get older wheats I usually end up with nothing to show for it other than additional wear on the Ryedale. Plus, if you return zincs at a coin counter like the Penny Arcade at TD Bank you have another chance to spot dimes and oddities as you poor them in the top. If it goes in the penny arcade and it's a dime it will give you credit for a dime; if it's a silver dime it should spit it out in the return coin box. Overall, it's just not worth the wear on the Ryedale and the time to re-sort zincs in my opinion. If I were in it to find the oldest and rarest wheat pennies I'd feel differently, but I'm in it for the copper primarily.

[VWBEAMER]

No doubt it's a lot of wear on the comparitor to accept all those zincs. And like you say, you will get credit for the dimes anyway.

I only sort about 150 or so a week, so it's not a big deal for me to run them again.

[ed_vantage17]

Part of the reason I do zinc then copper is for the "double sorted" quality that a lot of buyers are looking for. If I poach an old wheat or two, that's a bonus.

[Chief]

I always sort against a zinc comparer first, then resort against a copper comparer. This way I'll get to see what is non-zinc and non-copper (eg. pre-1940's, Indians, George V's). My Ryedale has been a god-send. The only problem is hand sorting the wheats from the pure coppers. Always fun to see what turns up.

[moneydog]

new here how many pennies in a pound

[Gamecock]

i've heard 146 pennies in a pound and 154 for a pound of copper. maybe someone else can confirm