What is the value of a US silver penny?

Answer 1

The U.S. never minted a silver penny. It would have more than a dime's worth of silver in it. Your coin is almost certainly plated with a silver-colored metal. There are no 1-cent coins made in the US from silver. What you have is probably one of a few different but common possibilities: * If your coin is dated 1943, it's actually a wartime coin made from zinc-plated steel. In uncirculated condition it's worth a dollar or two. * If your coin is dated 1982 or later, it's probably a standard unplated coin. Cents made after 1982, as well as some of them made during 1982, are not pure copper, but are zinc coins plated with copper. Sometimes a coin will escape the Mint unplated, but more often than not the copper plating has been removed by being soaked in one of several possible liquids, including vinegar or automobile coolant (anti-freeze). These rarely have any extra value to collectors. * If your coin is dated before 1982 (or possibly a 1982) and has a dull finish, it's probably a standard cent coated or plated by a child with a variety of possible metals, including Mercury. These have no extra value to collectors, and can be dangerous to handle at times, depending on the material with which it is coated/plated. If it's anything other than the above, it should be inspected and appraised by a reputable dealer or coin certification agency.