weight tolerance for silver dimes

[scyther]

I found a 1964 dime today and it seemed odd. Somehow it didn't look right, and it seemed light. I weighed it and it was 2.41. The others I weighed were 2.49, 2.51, 2.52, 2.52, and 2.57. Is 2.41 within tolerance? Seems fake to me...

[justj2k78]

Does it look like it has more wear then the others? It would seem like it would be a lot of trouble for not a lot of payoff to fake a dime, but I suppose stranger things have happened.

[Engineer]

They should be 2.5g +/- a bit.

[scyther]

Does it look like it has more wear then the others? It would seem like it would be a lot of trouble for not a lot of payoff to fake a dime, but I suppose stranger things have happened.

No, it doesn't have much wear at all... that's what worries me. And dimes are definitely faked. They're mass produced. Easier than dollar coins; worth more.

[scyther]

They should be 2.5g +/- a bit.

So... how much is a bit? Do you think 1.41 is close enough?

[Engineer]

They should be 2.5g +/- a bit.

So... how much is a bit? Do you think 1.41 is close enough?

I think your scale needs calibrated. Try weighing some copper cents to see if your scale reads them as 3.11g.

2.47g would be a normal average for circulated Roosevelts, although its possible for original mint weight to be in the range of 2.4 - 2.6.

[68Camaro]

Just weighed a roll of BU 63s to get specific data to accompany engineer's post:

Min: 2.43
Max 2.57
Avg 2.4988

These are "brand new" coins, but only 34 of the 50 are between the range set by the accepted wear limit for a larger population of 90% (which is 1.1%). 16% (8) are lighter. 16% (8) are heavier. (It's a fairly symmetric distribution.)

The coefficient of variation for this set was 1.359%, and given the distribution and statistics for this population it looks like one should expect to see at least 95% of the time 1 dime that weighs 2.43 grams or less in every BU roll. And there was one dime that weighed 2.43 grams.

Just like the analysis I did for 40%, it's obvious that the mint set it's nominal weight based on average weights for a large population of circulating coin, not individual weights. I'm sure they had an internal specification for min/max of individual planchets but I've never seen that published.

[Engineer]

Just weighed a roll of BU 63s to get specific data to accompany engineer's post:

Min: 2.43
Max 2.57
Avg 2.4988

Show-off...

[68Camaro]

Just weighed a roll of BU 63s to get specific data to accompany engineer's post:

Min: 2.43
Max 2.57
Avg 2.4988

Show-off...

Can't help it...

[PennysaverCP]

You want to sell the dime that weighs 2.57? More bang for the buck.

[beauanderos]

I think I'd be pissed if I bought a roll of BU dimes and the avg wt was 2.43 (those would be the ones with the tiny Chinese characters on the rim)

BTW... 68camaro will be listing a roll of BU 1963 dimes, with odd fingerprint ridge toning on the rims, in the next KSA

[Chief]

I found a 1964 dime today and it seemed odd. Somehow it didn't look right, and it seemed light. I weighed it and it was 1.41. The others I weighed were 1.49, 1.51, 1.52, 1.52, and 1.57. Is 1.41 within tolerance? Seems fake to me...

Just weighted 10 dimes. Average was 2.50g
Another 10 dimes. Average was 2.45g
Last 10. 2.45g
Average circulated w/ some AU Roosies and circulated w/ Mercs. Are your dimes worn or what?

[beauanderos]

I found a 1964 dime today and it seemed odd. Somehow it didn't look right, and it seemed light. I weighed it and it was 1.41. The others I weighed were 1.49, 1.51, 1.52, 1.52, and 1.57. Is 1.41 within tolerance? Seems fake to me...

Just weighted 10 dimes. Average was 2.50g
Another 10 dimes. Average was 2.45g
Last 10. 2.45g
Average circulated w/ some AU Roosies and circulated w/ Mercs. Are your dimes worn or what?

That's because he is using the dwt (pennyweight) setting on his scale:

http://lacywest.com/t_convert.htm

[scyther]

My scale's fine. Just wrote the wrong numbers. Sorry. Is 2.41 within tolerance?

[beauanderos]

My scale's fine. Just wrote the wrong numbers. Sorry. Is 2.41 within tolerance?

sounds much closer to the norm. Start off with a lightweight planchet and then subtract a little wear... you've go 2.41.

[John Reich]

Here's a copy of a post I made about a year ago that may be of some help to you. I believe a dime could weigh anywhere from 2.4 to 2.6 grams and still be legal according to the 1873 coinage law.

"I have a copy of the book Fractional Money by Neil Carothers that may be relevant to this thread. In section 37 of the coinage law of Feb 12, 1873 it states: "That in adjusting the weight of silver coins the following deviations shall not be exceeded in any single piece: In the dollar, the half and quarter dollar, and in the dime, one and one-half grains; and in weighing large numbers of pieces together, when delivered by the coiner to the superintendent, and by the superintendent to the depositor, the deviations from the standard weight shall not exceed two-hundredths of an ounce in one thousand dollars, half dollars, or quarter dollars, and one-hundredth of an ounce in one thousand dimes." I figure that 1 1/2 grains is 0.097 grams, so any individual 90% half dollar could weigh between 12.4 and 12.6 grams and still meet the legal requirement. The act of 1873 determined the weights of silver coins from 1873 up until 1964. I'm not sure if the tolerances described in the act applied in that same period. Hope this helps!"

[scyther]

Hm. Hopefully it's real then. It just looks and feels different from others... but it sounds like silver.