Question About Copper Coins

[OxShoeDrew]

The other day I found a 1694-1702 William the 3rd copper coin. I also found a Draped Bust early American copper coin. Last week I found a Matron head. They all are supposedly made of pure copper...? Why do all the older late 1600s/early 1700 coins ring up much lower? They vdi a bit higher than zincolns (nox 22), where early American coins ring up a bit lower than modern quarters (nox 29).
I found this when I bench tested-
http://www.americandetectorist.com/forum/showthread.php?22792-Bench-Test-Dug-Large-Copper-Coins
But why????

[del]

what are the weights of these coins ? the coin's diameter and mass will influence the VDI numbers greatly as composition does but some coin minters have been known to "cut corners" to save a few pennies .

[Full Metal Digger]

...to save a few pennies .

Pun intended Del? LOL

[OxShoeDrew]

Pun intended Del? LOL

:lol:
Dan,
Diameter-
This particular William is 27mm (must have lost a mm over time), all my other ones are 28mm.
All my drapes and coronets are 28mm, as are the two in question.

Weights-The William is under weight at 7grams, should be 9ish grams. My others are all within the normal weights.
The draped and coronet are both 10 grams, should be 11.

VDI (Nox)-
William 22, other two 28. All my other Williams are 24-27. The other two are 28, as are most of my others, oddly a few VDI at 30.

I guess as coins age in the ground they lose weight and VDI lower. I'm just surprised just how much lower.

[Noah]

"All my drapes" DANG!! Could you leave just ONE for me?!! :pirate:
:lol:
Dan,
Diameter-
This particular William is 27mm (must have lost a mm over time), all my other ones are 28mm.
All my drapes and coronets are 28mm, as are the two in question.

Weights-The William is under weight at 7grams, should be 9ish grams. My others are all within the normal weights.
The draped and coronet are both 10 grams, should be 11.

VDI (Nox)-
William 22, other two 28. All my other Williams are 24-27. The other two are 28, as are most of my others, oddly a few VDI at 30.

I guess as coins age in the ground they lose weight and VDI lower. I'm just surprised just how much lower.

[Donnie B]

Great post.