The first standard-issue US "pennies" (actually they're cents) were Large Cents struck in 1793. They were about the size of half-dollars.
Modern small cents were introduced in 1856. They were never made of pure copper; at various times they were made of copper-nickel, bronze, steel, and (today) copper-plated zinc.
1793
1829
Those are 95 percent copper. A US penny weighs 3.11 grams. Of that, 2.9545 grams is copper.
The last year for copper US pennies was 1982.
A 1983 Lincoln cent is actually copper plated zinc, 1982 was the last year for copper pennies. It's just a penny.
Copper
1793
1829
US cents minted since late 1982 are composed of a core of 99.2% zinc and 0.8% copper with a plating of pure copper.
Those are 95 percent copper. A US penny weighs 3.11 grams. Of that, 2.9545 grams is copper.
copper
The last year for copper US pennies was 1982.
A US copper penny is exactly 2 cm wide.
In 1961 pennies were made of 95% copper and 5% zinc.
A 1983 Lincoln cent is actually copper plated zinc, 1982 was the last year for copper pennies. It's just a penny.
2 cents.
A 1994 US cent is zinc not copper, spend it.