When did Canada stop making copper pennies?

Answer 1

If "they" in the question refers to the U.S., the U.S. government, or the U.S. Mint, then 1982 was the last mint year for 95% copper Lincoln cents. Since mid-1982, the newest (current, as of 2012) formulation or composition for U.S. one-cent coins ("pennies") has an inner core alloy of 99.2% zinc with 0.8% copper, with the coin balance as an outer plating of pure copper, for a total coin composition of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper. These current pennies are commonly called "zinc pennies". The composition of U.S. pennies from mid-1864 to mid-1982 was an alloy of 95% copper with either 5% tin-and-zinc ("bronze" pennies) or 5% zinc ("brass" pennies). Before that, the composition was an alloy of 88% copper with 12% nickel from mid-1857 to mid-1864 (the only time any pennies ever contained nickel), and, initially, from 1793 to mid-1857, the first U.S. pennies were made of pure copper.

Since the first U.S. one-cent coins in 1793, U.S. pennies have always contained at least some copper, except for 1943, when they were made of a low-grade carbon steel and coated with zinc, having a grey color, due to the need for copper and brass during World War II.

Therefore, the most correct answer to the question is either:

(1) "they" (the U.S.) have never stopped making copper pennies, except in 1943; or

(2) 1943 is the only year the U.S. stopped making copper pennies.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The US changed the cent's composition in mid-1982. Up till that time "copper" pennies were actually bronze, an alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin and/or zinc. The new composition is 97.5% zinc coated with 2.5% copper, so technically copper is still in use.

Canada removed most copper from its 1¢ coin at the end of 1996. From 1942 till that year the Canadian cent was 98% copper. From 1997 to 1999 Canadian cents were made of copper-plated zinc like their US counterparts. From 2000 to 2012, most cents were made of copper-plated steel although some were also minted in the prior zinc composition. Canada discontinued cent production in May 2012.

Answer 3

Canadian nickels:

Nickel has never been completely removed from current Canadian 5-cent pieces. Starting in 2000 its use was reduced to only the coin's plating, amounting to 2% by weight, while the rest of the coin is made of a steel/copper alloy.

However, some 5-cent coins were made of a 75% copper / 25% nickel alloy that year as well as in 2001 and 2006.

The only Canadian nickels that didn't contain any nickel metal at all were made during WWII and the Korean War due to metal shortages. These were

• "tombac" (88% copper and 12% zinc) 5-cent pieces were made in 1942-43
• chrome-plated steel nickels were made in 1943-44 and 1951-54

US nickels:

US nickels are still made of a 75% copper / 25% nickel alloy. As in Canada, the only US nickels that didn't contain the metal were wartime coins. From late 1942 to the end of 1945, US 5-cent coins were struck in an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. These coins can be identified by a large mint mark letter over the dome of Monticello on the back. In addition they're the only US nickels that ever contained silver.

Answer 4

Copper was eliminated as the principal metal beginning in 1997.

Prior to that Canadian cents were made of an alloy containing anywhere from 95 to 98% copper, with the remainder being tin and zinc.

From 1997 to 1999 the coins were made of copper-plated zinc, similar to US cents. In 2000 the composition was changed to an alloy of steel and nickel plated with copper.

Canada discontinued all cent production in May 2012.

Answer 5

The last British general circulation Penny made from copper was minted in 1860. From 1860 onwards, they were made from bronze. Bronze is mostly copper, but it is alloyed with tin and zinc making a much more durable coin.

In 1992, due to the increasing cost of copper, the Royal Mint started making the 1 Penny and 2 Pence coins from copper plated steel, a much cheaper method.

Answer 6

US large cents were struck in pure copper until 1857. Since then the cent has been struck in a variety of compositions including cupronickel (88% copper), bronze (95%), zinc-plated steel (0%), and copper-plated zinc (2.5%)

Canadian cents were never made of pure copper; compositions included bronze (95 to 98% copper), copper-plated zinc (1.6%), and copper-plated steel (4.5%)

British pennies (the only coin of the three with that formal name) were made of copper from 1839 to 1860. Later coins were made of bronze (95% to 97% copper), and copper-plated steel.

Answer 7

98%-copper cents were minted until 1996. In 1997 the RCM began making cents from copper-plated zinc similar to their American counterparts. That composition was officially changed to copper-plated steel in 2000, but the transition was gradual. Most cents were still made of zinc until 2002 and some continued to be minted in that metal until the denomination was discontinued.

Answer 8

1997 was they year that they went to 98.4% zinc, 1858-1996 was 95%-98% copper.

Answer 9

The last year for copper Canadian pennies was 1996.