What was the composition of pennies before 1982?

So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years.

What was the makeup of pennies before 1962?

From 1857, the cent was 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, giving the coin a whitish appearance. The cent was again bronze (95 percent copper, and five percent tin and zinc) from 1864 to 1962, except: In 1943, the coin’s composition was changed to zinc-coated steel.

What year did penny composition change?

1982
In 1982, the fast-rising price of copper forced the U.S. Mint to change the composition of the penny to primarily zinc, with pure copper plating. This change allowed the “copper” penny to retain its traditional appearance.

Are pennies made before 1982 worth anything?

The rising price of copper has made it so that the metal content of pre-1982 one-cent pieces is now worth more than the one cent the coin represents, falling somewhere around 1.2 cents. You need roughly 155 of the pre-1982 coins to make a pound of copper.

What was the penny composition between 1962 and 1982?

From 1959-1962 the penny was made up of 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc. However, from 1962-1982, the composition of the penny was changed by removing the tin, making the penny 95% copper and 5% zinc. They all would weigh in at 3.11 grams.

How can you tell the difference between copper and zinc 1982 pennies?

Zinc pennies have sort of a flat “clunk,” whereas copper pennies have a higher-pitched, more melodious “ring” sound. Once you have a good feeling for how each type sounds, start dropping your 1982’s one at a time, listening for the sound they make, and you should be able to sort them out by metal composition.

What year pennies are made of zinc?

In 1943, copper was needed for war materials, so pennies were made out of zinc-coated steel. Because the color was silvery, it was easy to mistake a penny for a dime.

Why did they change the composition of pennies?

The cent’s composition was changed in 1982 because the value of the copper in the coin started to rise above one cent. Some 1982 cents used the 97.5% zinc composition, while others used the 95% copper composition.

Are any pennies from the 1960s worth anything?

Most 1960 pennies in circulated condition are only worth their weight in copper. The current copper melt value for each penny is about $0.02. These coins can only sell for a premium in uncirculated condition.

How do you tell a bronze penny from a zinc penny?

If your Lincoln Memorial penny has a date before 1982, it is made of 95% copper. If the date is 1983 or later, it is made of 97.5% zinc and plated with a thin copper coating. For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them.

How do you tell if a penny is zinc or copper?

You need a hard Formica or granite countertop surface, a known copper penny, and a known zinc penny. Drop each one onto the table, listening to its distinctive sound. Zinc pennies have sort of a flat “clunk,” whereas copper pennies have a higher-pitched, more melodious “ring” sound.

What year did they start adding zinc to pennies?

Are 1962 pennies worth anything?

The 1962 penny with no mint mark and the 1962 D penny are each worth around $0.15 in uncirculated condition with an MS-63RB grade. The value is around $1 in uncirculated condition with a grade of MS-65RD. Proof coins with no mint mark are available and they are each valued at around $1.50 in PR-65RD condition.

How much is a penny worth from 1962?

Does a bronze penny stick to a magnet?

The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.

How much does a 1962 Penny cost?

What is a 1962 penny worth? Rare pennies worth money. For more valuable coin tips give the video a thumbs up! Keep coin roll hunting and always remember you

The 1962 penny with no mint mark and the 1962 D penny are each worth around $0.15 in uncirculated condition with an MS-63RB grade. The value is around $0.30 in uncirculated condition with a grade of MS-65RD.

Is a 1962 Penny rare?

The 1962 Lincoln Memorial penny made at the Philadelphia Mint is a largely common coin in that hundreds of millions were made. In all, the Philadelphia Mint produced 606,045,000 pennies that year. For the most part, the coin remains plentiful for collectors today — even though they’ve more become difficult to find in pocket change.

Is a 1964 penny worth anything?

Unfortunately, the 1964 penny is almost worthless. The 1964 penny is worth around $0.15 and it has an MS-63RB grade. The 1964 penny that has no mint mark and the 1964 D penny (another version) are each worth around $0.15 in uncirculated condition. However, there are rare 1964. SMS penny that can be worth up to $15600.