What Year Did They Stop Making Copper Pennies?
If you've ever gone through a jar of old pennies, you may have wondered which ones are actually made mostly of copper.
The short answer is:
The U.S. Mint changed the penny from a primarily copper composition to copper-plated zinc in 1982.
But there's a catch.
Some 1982 pennies are copper, and some are zinc because the change happened during that year's production.
That makes 1982 an especially interesting year for anyone sorting old pennies.
Here's how to tell what you have.
Why Did the U.S. Stop Making Copper Pennies?
For much of the Lincoln cent's history, the penny was made primarily from copper.
Before the 1982 change, the standard composition was approximately 95% copper, with the remaining portion made from other metals.
As copper prices increased, producing pennies with that much copper became increasingly expensive.
The Mint ultimately switched to a zinc-based cent with a thin copper plating.
The change dramatically reduced the amount of copper in each penny.
Today's copper-plated zinc cent composition is 97.5% zinc and just 2.5% copper.
Are All Pennies Before 1982 Copper?
Generally, U.S. cents dated before 1982 from the modern Lincoln-cent era are primarily copper, but there is one famous exception worth knowing about:
1943.
During World War II, copper was needed for the war effort, so the Mint produced most 1943 cents from zinc-coated steel instead.
The Mint returned to a copper-based composition afterward.
And here's where things get particularly interesting for collectors: a very small number of 1943 copper cents were accidentally struck, making genuine examples famous transitional errors.
So don't assume every old-looking penny has the same composition just because of its date.
What Is Different About a 1982 Penny?
1982 is the year you need to pay attention to.
The Mint produced both the older copper-based cents and the newer copper-plated zinc cents during the transition.
PCGS identifies multiple 1982 varieties involving differences in composition, date style, and mintmark.
Fortunately, you don't need to be an experienced coin collector to perform the first test.
You need a scale.
How Can You Tell if a 1982 Penny Is Copper?
Weigh it.
A copper 1982 cent weighs approximately:
3.11 grams
A copper-plated zinc cent weighs approximately:
2.50 grams
That's a substantial enough difference that a small digital scale capable of measuring hundredths of a gram can usually make the distinction obvious.
If your 1982 penny weighs around 3.1 grams, you're dealing with the older copper composition.
If it's around 2.5 grams, it's the newer zinc composition.
This is also a good example of why weighing coins can be useful when you're trying to identify what you have.
Are Pennies After 1982 Copper?
Not in the way most people mean when they talk about a "copper penny."
The newer cents still contain copper, but only as a thin outer plating. The majority of the coin is zinc.
So a modern penny may look copper, while the inside of the coin is mostly zinc.
That also explains something you may have noticed with damaged modern pennies.
When the copper-colored surface is scratched or worn through, a different-colored metal can sometimes become visible underneath.
What About a 1983 Copper Penny?
This is where sorting pennies can get much more interesting.
Regular 1983 cents were supposed to be made using the newer zinc composition.
However, rare 1983 cents struck on leftover copper planchets have been discovered.
A normal zinc cent weighs around 2.5 grams, while a copper example weighs around 3.1 grams.
That doesn't mean every heavy penny is automatically a valuable error.
A potentially unusual coin should be properly authenticated before you make assumptions about what it is or what it's worth.
But it's certainly a reason to pay attention when you're sorting older cents.
Are Old Copper Pennies Valuable?
This is where metal value and coin value need to be separated.
An older penny may contain substantially more copper than a modern zinc cent, but that doesn't automatically make it a rare or valuable collectible.
A coin's value can also depend on its:
Date and mintmark
Condition
Variety
Minting errors
Collector demand
Rarity
In other words, don't judge an old penny solely by the copper inside it.
Sometimes the coin itself is much more interesting than its metal content.
Before You Get Rid of Those Old Pennies
If you've inherited a coin collection, found an old jar of pennies, or have coins you don't recognize, it can be worth taking a closer look before assuming they're ordinary pocket change.
Start with the date. Check the mintmark. For 1982 cents, check the weight.
And if something doesn't seem ordinary, find out what you have before deciding what to do with it.
If you'd like to talk about old coins, precious metals, or a collection you're trying to understand, talk with Mr. Vann.