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The cent's composition was changed in mid-1982 due to rising copper prices.

Cents dated 1982 were struck in both bronze and copper-plated zinc. The easiest way to tell them apart is to weigh one. A bronze cent will weigh about 3.11 gm while a zinc one weighs 2.5 gm.

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Q: When were copper coated zinc pennies first made?
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Continue Learning about U.S. History

Are all us pennies made of copper?

In 1982, the U.S. stopped using bronze blanks and started using zinc coated with a thin copper plating.


What were pennies made before 1943 made of?

Lincoln cents from 1909-1942 are made of Bronze which is mostly copper. The 1943 cents are Zinc coated steel.


When did the US use copper to mint pennies?

Cents were made of copper from 1793 to 1858; cupro-nickel from 1859 to mid-1864 bronze (copper plus tin and/or zinc) from mid-1864 to 1942 and 1944 to mid-1982 zinc-coated steel in 1943 copper-coated zinc from mid-1982 to the present


What is different about the 1943 pennies?

Copper was needed for the war so in 1943 pennies were made of zinc coated steel. In circulated condition they are worth 3-25 cents. In uncirculated they are worth about 10-25 dollars.


What year were full copper pennies no longer made?

1982 was the last year for 95%-copper pennies. And the first year for the zinc pennies. They made both types that year, and the only way to tell them apart is by weight -- the zinc pennies are lighter.Answer100% copper pennies were last minted by the US in 1857. These were large cents, about the size of the "golden" dollar coins. The Flying Eagle and Indian Cents from 1856 to 1864 were 88% copper and 12% nickel. Beginning in 1864 Indian Cents, and later Lincoln Cents, were minted in 95% copper and 5% tin, technically this is bronze. AnswerAnother way to tell the copper penny from the copper coated zinc penny is when a penny is dropped on a hard surface the copper penny will have a ringing sound, the zinc penny will not ring.

Related questions

How does a mass of a penny depend on the year it was minted?

The materials used to mint pennies has changed. Originally, pennies were made of almost pure copper. Today, British pennies are made of nickel/steel blanks coated in copper, and US "pennies" (actually cents) are made of zinc blanks coated in copper.


Are all wheat pennies made of steel?

No, most wheat pennies are made of copper. Only the 1943 pennies were made from zinc coated steel. There were about 40 made from copper in 1943 and they bring up to $82,000 each!


What pennys are copper?

All US pennies made before 1982 are copper, along with some made in 1982 that are copper, however, copper-coated zinc pennies were also used during that year making identification by weighing necessary.


What is the outside of pennies coated with?

US pennies (since 1982) have been made of zinc (97.5%) with a thin layer of copper (2.5%) outside.


When did pennies stop being all copper?

1860 The last copper pennies were made in England, and the same year the first bronze pennies were made.


What element is in pennies?

Copper


Are all us pennies made of copper?

In 1982, the U.S. stopped using bronze blanks and started using zinc coated with a thin copper plating.


What were pennies made before 1943 made of?

Lincoln cents from 1909-1942 are made of Bronze which is mostly copper. The 1943 cents are Zinc coated steel.


What is american money made of?

The dollar bills are made of cotton and linen, despite the fact that we call it paper money. Pennies are zinc coated with copper. Nickels, quarters, and dimes are a mix of nickel and copper.


Where can copper be found in BC?

who was the first person in BC who made pennies


How can a green penny turn green?

Pennies are made, or at least coated, with Copper and that copper can oxidize and turn green. Newer pennies have an alloy metal that is supposed to reduce this chemical action.


When did the US use copper to mint pennies?

Cents were made of copper from 1793 to 1858; cupro-nickel from 1859 to mid-1864 bronze (copper plus tin and/or zinc) from mid-1864 to 1942 and 1944 to mid-1982 zinc-coated steel in 1943 copper-coated zinc from mid-1982 to the present