Weights and measures

[JeanK]

For some time now I have been thinking about the scales used in the coin shops. How accurate are they? Are the scales regulated by your county or state agency?
Today I discussed this topic with our county office of Weights and Measures. I asked the representative if the county actually regulates and tests scales used by coin stores.
I had difficulty keeping the representative on the subject of coins because the rep seemed to only want to reply if it was concerning silver, gold, other precious metals, and precious stones.
Apparently the county/state agencies definitely regulate the jewelry industry quite closely, but the coin shops do not seem to have the same rules.
I have seen a dealer use exactly the same scale I use at home to weigh coins, but I do not know if their scale has been tested and properly calibrated, or regulated.
Please keep in mind that I am not directing these questions toward anyone in particular.
Your thoughts or knowledge of this issue will be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Jean

[jcuve]

A very good question Jean. They should be tested for accuracy, especially if the shop buys and sells silver or gold in any other form, but somehow I doubt they are or will ever be.

[copper_poisoning]

Interesting question Jean. I'll have to ask my coin guy if there is any agency here in Georgia that oversees the scales he uses. It might be different from state to state.(?) The balances themselves can be very accurate down to the ten thousandths place (0.0001g). That's what I use in my lab. I think there are some balances that can measure out to a few more decimal places. For weighing coins measuring out to the hundredths place is probably fine. But to get to where I thnk you are going with this, it really depends on how the balances are maintained and calibrated. Even if the balance stays in one place and is not moved, its accuracy will suffer over time. The balance may need to be recalibrated every couple of weeks or months. Now, if the balance is moved around everyday, it may need to be calibrated everyday or between uses.

I'm not sure if the person I buy most of my coins from calibrates his balances or not. I'm sure they need it though. He keeps it behind his counter and when he needs it he just plops it up on the counter.

I'm sure there are some dealers that calibrate their balances properly, but I'm guessing most do not.

Greg

[JeanK]

Thank you for replying. And, yes Greg, I would think different states would use their own rules about this.
When I searched on the internet for the state of California the page gave me a choice of which county, which is where I checked.

Of course, none of what I have said applies to coins already known to be a specific weight. And, I am not quibbling about hundredths of an ounce, unless it is gold or platinum. However, this could be a problem if the batteries in the scales are getting weak.

The few times I have been in a coin store and watched the scales pop out from behind a counter I have wondered whether the customer is getting the correct value for anything being weighed, whether it is being sold by the customer or to the customer.

I am a curious person by nature and questions are always popping up in my little brain.
Jean

[1sgret]

I think that if you are determining the weight of sold items (a pound of pennies) it wouldn't make a difference if the scale is off by a little.

Gold, Silver, Plat, etc is a horse of a different color however there is no requirements for calibration of scales for the selling and purchasing of the above items here in my state that I know of. Pawn shops use a small digital scale which I know is not calibrated.

[ziggy9]

As the Sealer of Weights and Measures for a local municipality I can tell you that in the State of Massachussetts all scales used for transaction with the public are required to be tested and sealed once a year by the local sealer. On the small scales that are used in the precious metals business this can be hard as there is no place to affix my lead seal, I will, however affix a plastic label seal stating that I have tested the device. any business found to be using a scale not checked by the Sealer of Weights and Measures can face a hefty fine. If we suspect that a dealer is being less than honest or we recieve a complaint by a consumer then we will go out and test the device without prior notification. If the device is not accurate within required tolerances then the owner recieves a fine.

Richard

[ziggy9]

I might add that the Massachussetts Weights and Measures program is the oldest in the country and the one that most states have designed theirs after. If you want to find out about a specific store call the Inspectional Services Department (building dept) for the town in which the shop is located and they can tell you the last time they have checked that store.

Richard

Richard

[1sgret]

Thanks for the info Richard as it was very informative.

[ziggy9]

you're welcome, glad to be some help.

Richard