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From 1864 to 1982 nearly all US cents were made of a bronze alloy consisting of 95% copper, along with 5% tin and/or zinc. The price of copper had risen to the point where there was more than a penny's worth of copper in each coin so the Mint was losing money on each one they struck.
With billions of cents being made each year that imposed a significant loss on the government so the composition was changed to a core of 97.5% zinc plated with a tiny amount of copper (2.5%)
As of 2010 the price of zinc now exceeds one cent per coin, so the search is on for yet another replacement metal, most likely steel.
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What makes the pennies from the 1980's different from todays pennies?
In 1982 the US mint changed the composition of the penny from mostly copper to zinc which changed the weight form 3.11 grams to 2.5 grams and made the penny cheaper to make.
When did U.S. pennies stop being all copper?
1857, unless you're referring to Lincoln pennies, which were only 95% copper until 1982 when they were changed to zinc.
When did they stop making solid copper pennies?
Solid copper pennies were last minted in 1857 and were much larger than today's penny. Pennies were made mostly of copper until mid-1982, when the composition was changed to 97.5% zinc with a plating of 2.5% copper. The only exception was in 1943 when wartime copper shortages forced the Mint to make pennies out of scrap steel. Bronze cents were resumed the next year, 1944.
What metals were used in 1964 for pennies?
In 1962 the composition of the Lincoln Cent was changed from 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc to 95% copper and 5% zinc. This new alloy was in use when the 1964 pennies were minted.
When were copper coated zinc pennies first made?
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.
Why do pennies before 1982 have a higher density than 1982?
Up into 1982, US pennies were 95% copper, but that year the composition was changed and now they're 97.5% zinc.
What makes the pennies from the 1980's different from todays pennies?
In 1982 the US mint changed the composition of the penny from mostly copper to zinc which changed the weight form 3.11 grams to 2.5 grams and made the penny cheaper to make.
How much does a 1982 D penny weigh?
1982 is the year the composition was changed from copper to zinc. The copper version weighs 3.1 grams, and the zinc version weighs 2.5 grams.
8 pounds of pennies is how much money?
It depends on the coins' dates. Pennies minted in 1983 and later weigh 2.5 gm. each Pennies minted in 1981 and earlier weigh 3.11 gm. each Pennies minted in 1982 could weigh either amount because the metal composition was changed in the middle of the year.
What is the value of zinc Lincoln pennies?
The cent's composition was changed from bronze to copper-plated zinc in mid 1982, so zinc cents are too new and too numerous to be worth any premium.
What is the percentage of copper are in pennies before 1980?
Pennies minted before 1982 are composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc.
Are pennies made of mostly copper or zinc?
pennies are made of mostly zinc but have some copper in themMoreThe composition of US cents was changed from bronze in mid-1982. The coins now have a zinc core plated with copper (rather than mixed together). Zinc makes up 97.5% of the coin by weight.
When did U.S. pennies stop being all copper?
1857, unless you're referring to Lincoln pennies, which were only 95% copper until 1982 when they were changed to zinc.
What dates of us pennies are not all copper?
Pennies are supposed to be all copper through 1981. In 1982 some are and some are not, and after 1982 all are clad.CorrectionThe last 100%-copper cents were struck in 1857. Since then the composition of the cent has been changed many times, starting with a copper-nickel alloy from 1857 to 1864, then various varieties of bronze (95% copper), steel (1943), and eventually copper-plated (not clad) zinc beginning in mid-1982.
When did they stop making solid copper pennies?
Solid copper pennies were last minted in 1857 and were much larger than today's penny. Pennies were made mostly of copper until mid-1982, when the composition was changed to 97.5% zinc with a plating of 2.5% copper. The only exception was in 1943 when wartime copper shortages forced the Mint to make pennies out of scrap steel. Bronze cents were resumed the next year, 1944.
Composition of a penny between 1970-1995?
It changed during 1982. From 1975-1982, it was 95% copper and 5% zinc. From 1982-1995, it was 97.5% zinc and 5% copper.
What metals were used in 1964 for pennies?
In 1962 the composition of the Lincoln Cent was changed from 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc to 95% copper and 5% zinc. This new alloy was in use when the 1964 pennies were minted.
