What is the difference between a copper penny and a bronze penny?
What is the difference between a copper penny and a bronze penny?
A penny is not what you think. Indeed, from 1793 to 1837, a cent was pure copper. But newer pennies are made mostly of zinc. 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 pennies are bronze?
History of composition
| Years | Material | Weight (grains) |
|---|---|---|
| 1864–1942 | bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) | 48 grains |
| 1943 | zinc-coated steel (also known as 1943 steel cent) | 42 grains |
| 1944–1946 | gilding metal (95% copper, 5% zinc) | 48 grains |
| 1947–1962 | bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) | 48 grains |
Are bronze pennies worth anything?
Most pennies are worth 1 cent, but to coin collectors, some are worth more than their weight in gold. The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent attracted nearly 30 bids and sold for $204,000 in January, according to Heritage Auctions, the organization that conducted the sale.
How can you tell the difference between copper and brass pennies?
To distinguish copper from brass, which is an alloy of other metals, examine the color under good white light. Real copper should have a reddish-brown hue, like a penny. Brass items tend to have a yellowish tint. If your item is yellow, orange-yellow or even has elements of gray, you are probably dealing with brass.
How do you tell if your penny is copper or zinc?
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.
What is the price of copper?
Copper Price Live
| Last Price | Change | High |
|---|---|---|
| 410.9 | -3.15 | 415.45 |
Who is the biggest copper producer in the world?
Chile
What will the price of copper be in 2020?
Goldman analysts raised their 12-month forecast for copper to $9,500 per metric ton, up from a previous estimate of $7,500.