Page 1 of 1

What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 5:59 am
by 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

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 6:46 am
by 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.

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 8:25 am
by 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.

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 9:01 am
by 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.

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 12:18 pm
by 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.

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 2:15 pm
by 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.

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 3:19 pm
by 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.

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 5:44 pm
by 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.

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 8:33 pm
by 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.

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 11:47 pm
by moneydog
new here how many pennies in a pound

Re: What to look for when sorting copper

PostPosted: Tue May 03, 2011 4:37 pm
by Gamecock
i've heard 146 pennies in a pound and 154 for a pound of copper. maybe someone else can confirm