Do coins lose weight after being in the ground?

[Spider-F5]

I know this is a steupid/crazy question but after what happened this morning I couldn't help but wonder.

After figuring out the best way to clean the coins I've dug this past year, I rolled them up while watching the ball games on TV this weekend and decided to cash them in on the way to work this morning at a local convenience store that is owned by a friend. Simple enough, right? Wrong!!!! His method to make sure that there is the right amount of coins is to weigh them on a calibrated scale, I get that but every roll of quarters he placed on the scale was short. I'm like: NO WAY!! He then proceeds to compare to a roll that he has and sure enough, mine are 2 grams light. I called BS and insured him that I hand counted each roll and suggested that he open a couple to see for himself. After doing so he scratches his head and has the most dumbfounded look. what is you guys take on this?

Spider F5

 

[Highlifter1000]

Zinc pennies do here in Louisiana

 

[still looking 52]

I'm with Highlifter on the zinc pennies but regular clad, I'm thinking would weight the same after cleaning.

 

[Highlifter1000]

I'm with Highlifter on the zinc pennies but regular clad, I'm thinking would weight the same after cleaning.

I find regular clad weight the same also after cleaning.

 

[Tinhorn]

and the money in my pocket lose weight over time, a Pepsi used to be a dime now it's about a quarter

 

[Spider-F5]

Yea my thoughts also. but I thought I'd post my experience non the less. i thought it was hilarious!! Appreciate the replies.

F5

 

[Draco]

Yes. I do not understand much about American coins, but I can assure you that old European coins, with the passing of the years and the fertilizers, remain without relief.

 

[jim tn]

Do you know if his quarters were un-circulated rolls from the bank? They would weigh a bit more then circulated ones do to the weight loss that occurs slightly from circulation wear. I assume, anyway. HH jim tn

 

[Spider-F5]

I do believe the roll that he was comparing the weight with was a bank issue as it had machine crimps on both ends. whereas, mine has the machine crimp on one end.

 

[IDXMonster]

So we are talking about a roll of US clad quarters here? Silver definitely loses weight from pocket wear/general circulation so if these were just modern coins, I think you’re right about the discrepancy being in the packaging, and not the coins themselves.

 

[Spider-F5]

yea its weird how this all went down. What was happening is that he was measuring in lbs and quoting the numbers in grams.(which threw me off from the start) He was saying that my rolls were weighing in at .48 lbs or 217.724 grams versus his "controlled" roll of .50 lbs or 226.8 grams. that's a .02 ounce discrepancy.

F5

 

[Draco]

Well, a very good friend should not be ...

 

[BigTony]

I know this is a steupid/crazy question but after what happened this morning I couldn't help but wonder.

After figuring out the best way to clean the coins I've dug this past year, I rolled them up while watching the ball games on TV this weekend and decided to cash them in on the way to work this morning at a local convenience store that is owned by a friend. Simple enough, right? Wrong!!!! His method to make sure that there is the right amount of coins is to weigh them on a calibrated scale, I get that but every roll of quarters he placed on the scale was short. I'm like: NO WAY!! He then proceeds to compare to a roll that he has and sure enough, mine are 2 grams light. I called BS and insured him that I hand counted each roll and suggested that he open a couple to see for himself. After doing so he scratches his head and has the most dumbfounded look. what is you guys take on this?

Spider F5

Spider-F5, in my opinion - yes they might weight less than newly circulated coins.
Many dimes I find are very thin, cents can be deteriorated a bit too much; some quarters are also worn down or corroded - most nickles not so much - they seem to hold up better (except for newer ones after 2010.
Coin star machines spit them out all the time, even if they are not dug coins. The rubbing together will smooth them down a bit.
Don't fret, many machines will take those coins, parking meters, toll booths and yes cash machines at the checkout - if they except coins.........
I saw today that the local Stop and Shop added more self check out machines. They take coins but my local Walmart will not take coins or cash....SOB's.....
Tony

 

[targits]

copper rots away to nothing in acid soil so maybe right