What was the last year pennies were made of copper?

The last year pennies were made of copper was 1982. However, the penny composition material used to make a penny has changed over the years. Compositions of the penny are listed below: 1793-1837 – Pure copper. 1837-1857 – Bronze (95\% copper, 5\% mixture of tin and zinc).

Should you keep or sell your copper pennies?

Keep in mind though that laws can change. Some copper coin hoarders are waiting for this law to change so they can melt down all of their copper pennies. It’s also wise to hold onto your copper pennies because like other precious metals, they are a good hedge against inflation.

How can you tell the difference between Zinc pennies and copper coins?

Copper and zinc pennies can look roughly the same. It can be hard to tell because the Lincoln Memorial Design has both copper and zinc coins. The easiest way to tell the difference is to check the date. However there are a few different tests you can do.

What is the difference between a penny and a coin?

The coin was larger and made of pure copper, while today’s smaller coin is made of copper and zinc. It was one of the first coins made by the United States Mint after it was created in 1792. In 1857, Congress authorized the United States Mint to strike the penny with 88\% copper and 12\% nickel.

What is the drop test for copper and Zinc pennies?

Drop Test for Copper and Zinc Pennies. If you don’t have a tenth-gram scale handy, you can use the “drop” test. 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.

Why did the US change the composition of the Penny?

Unfortunately, the increasing price of copper in the early 1980s forced The United States Mint to change the composition of the penny permanently. This was to prevent a melt off of pennies.

Is it legal to melt down pennies for their copper value?

Theoretically it would make sense to melt down non-numismatic copper pennies for their copper value. However the United States government has made it illegal to melt down any US coin. In 2006 they passed a law, Section 331 of Title 18, which bans this practice. So it’s not worth the risk of getting caught.