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Because copper is the chief metal in a US penny. Actually, a penny has cost more to produce than it's face value for quite some time. They make it up in dimes and quarters.

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Q: Why would the increase in the price of copper cause the mint to change the composition of pennies?
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When did the composition of the pennies change?

In 1992, UK pennies switched from bronze, to copper-plated steel.


Why did the composition of the US penny change?

Because the rise in value of copper made pennies worth more than one cent.


When did the us stop making copper pennies?

They stopped making copper pennies in 1982. There are some 1982 pennies that are 95% copper and some that are not. 1983 pennies that are 95% exist but are rare and are collectors items.While the above statement would seem to be correct, it is, however, not completely true. The U.S. has never stopped making copper pennies, or pennies with some copper content, except in 1943, when they were made of a low-grade carbon steel and coated with zinc (having a grey color); this change was due to the need for copper and brass during World War II. These 1943 wartime pennies are commonly referred to as "steel" pennies. They contain NO copper...More correctly, 1982 was the last mint year for 95% copper cents. Since mid-1982, the newest (current, as of 2012) 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", due to their heavy-majority zinc content, even though they do still contain some copper. 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 U.S. pennies ever contained nickel), and, initially, from 1793 to mid-1857, the first U.S. pennies were made of pure (100%) copper.Since the first U.S. one-cent coins in 1793, U.S. pennies have always contained at least some copper, except, again, in the singular case of the year 1943, the so-called "steel" pennies.Therefore, the most correct answer to the question is either:(1) the U.S. has never stopped making copper pennies, except in 1943; or(2) 1943 is the only year the U.S. stopped making copper pennies, or any pennies with NO copper in them.Hope this helps!


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 did the stop making the copper pennies?

1982. Since then pennies have been mostly zinc with just a little copper.As the immediate above statement includes the word copper as part of the answer, which part is, in fact, true, then 1982 is not the answer to the question after all...If the "the(y)" part of the question above refers to the U.S., the U.S. government, or the U.S. Mint, then 1982 was the last mint year for 95% copper cents. Since mid-1982, the newest (current, as of 2012) 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 (100%) 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. These are commonly referred to as "steel" pennies (they contain NO copper)...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, or made pennies with NO copper in them.Hope this helps!


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.


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 were pennies made of after 1983?

Starting mid-year in 1982, pennies were made with a zinc core and copper plating. This would give them a 97.5% zinc content and 2.5% copper content.


When 12 copper pennies are submerged in water the pennies displace 4.13 cm3 of water If the combined mass of the pennies is 36.93 g what is the density of copper?

You cant't figure this out using copper pennies. Pennies are not 100% copper.


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.


Does a penny have gold?

No, pennies do not contain gold. Modern pennies are mostly zinc with a little copper, older pennies are mostly copper with a little zinc.


What is the importance of copper?

copper is important because it makes pennies and pennies are good