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Since 1982, the current one-cent coin, also known as the Penny, is composed of a zinc core (97.5%) with a thin outer coating of copper (2.5%).
Key Takeaways
- In 1982, Penny became less popular as copper grew more valuable than the amount used in its composition. Currently, the one-cent coin, also known as the Lincoln cent (or even Lincoln Penny), is made out of a copper-plated zinc planchet (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper); the obverse features the profile of President Abraham Lincoln since 1909.
- During World War II, the U.S. Mint produced steel cents in 1943 to conserve copper, but about 40 copper cents were mistakenly struck on leftover planchets. Only 13 are confirmed to exist, with one being evaluated at $1,000,000, according to PCGS.
- Pre-1982 pennies weigh 3.1 grams, while post-1982 zinc pennies weigh 2.5 grams. Copper has a higher melting point and produces a distinct sound when dropped.
- Copper's durability, malleability, and antibacterial properties make it ideal for coinage. Still, rising costs have reduced its use in modern pennies, and U.S. law prohibits melting them for their metal content, which is too low for practical recycling.
A Brief History Of The Penny
The first official U.S. cent, the Fugio cent, was minted in 1787, but the coin we recognize as the penny debuted in 1793.
Initially featuring Lady Liberty, the design evolved over the years, along with changes to its composition, with copper as a constant. Copper's malleability allows for easy minting. Its durability ensures long-lasting coins and its natural antibacterial properties help reduce germ transmission, making it an ideal choice for coinage.
In 1909, Abraham Lincoln became the first U.S. president depicted on a coin, commemorating his 100th birthday. The iconic Lincoln penny, designed by Victor David Brenner, debuted that year and remains used today.
The current design of the Lincoln Cent, introduced in 2010, features a union shield symbolizing Lincoln's efforts to preserve the United States as a single and united country. The design includes 13 vertical stripes representing the original states, with the national motto displayed on a horizontal bar above.
Keep reading to discover more about the changes in the penny's composition over time.
What Are Pennies Made Of?
Let's take a look at a brief history, according to the U.S. Mint, of what pennies were made of and why there were some changes over the years:
1793 – 1837: 100% Copper
Source: PCGS || Flowing Hair Large Cent
The cent was made out of pure copper;
1837 – 1857: Bronze (95% copper, 5% Tin and Zinc)
Source: PCGS || Braided hair Cent
During this period, the U.S. Mint slightly changed its composition and made it out of bronze (ninety-five percent copper and five percent tin and zinc). Until 1857, the pennies were so big they weighed more than 10 grams.
1857 – 1864: 88% Copper and 12% Nickel
Source: PCGS || Flying Eagle Cent
The penny was 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, which gave it a whitish-colored appearance (these were the Flying Eagle cent and the Indian Head cent);
1864 – 1962: Bronze (95% copper, 5% Tin and Zinc)
Source: PCGS || Indian Cent
Back to bronze (95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc), except for 1943. Due to the heavy use of copper in the war efforts, specifically in 1943, the U.S. Mint changed its composition to zinc-coated steel, giving it, again, a whitish look. Very few bronze pennies were minted that year from leftover coin blanks from the previous year.
1943 Steel Cent
Source: PCGS || Steel Lincoln Penny
In 1943, the United States was deep into World War II. Due to the war efforts, most of the mined copper was redirected to producing ammunition and other military equipment. Therefore, the US Congress approved a zinc-coated steel alloy for the one-cent coins to replace the copper composition. This coin has received many monikers throughout the years, including Wartime Penny, Steel War Cent, Zinc Cent, and others.
The Zinc-Steel alloy lasted only a year, and, at the time, it wasn’t very popular because people kept confusing it with other silver coins. The bronze composition would return the following year.
1962 – 1982 Gilding metal (95% copper, 5% zinc)
Source: PCGS || Lincoln Memorial Cent
The minimal tin content was removed from the alloy, resulting in a composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc, known as gilding metal: a type of alloy characterized by a significantly higher copper content compared to zinc.
1982 – Present: Copper-plated Zinc (97.5%Zinc, 2.5% Copper)
In 1982, the U.S. Mint anticipated an increase in the price of copper and made a huge change to the penny composition, making it 97.5 percent zinc with a thin copper coating (copper-plated zinc). However, pennies from both compositions were minted that year.
Composition of the post-1982 penny.
Are you interested to know the Top 19 Most Valuable Pennies ever sold?
What About The 1943 Copper Penny?
As mentioned before, in 1943, the US Mint replaced the bronze composition with a zinc-coated steel alloy for the penny. Though the change lasted only a year, it would bring about some of the most expensive one-cent coins in American numismatic history.
First, in 1943, a handful of bronze planchets ended up in the hubbing press, resulting in the rare 1943 Bronze Lincoln Pennies.
Source: PCGS || 1943 Copper Penny
Following up, in 1944, the same minting error happened, but in reverse. Some leftover steel planchets from the previous year ended up in the pressing machines, resulting in the extremely rare 1944 Steel Pennies.