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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.
Source: PCGS || 1944 Steel Penny
Combined, the 1943 Copper Penny and the 1944 Steel Penny are some of the most infamous mint errors in American coinage history!
How To Tell If A Penny Is Copper Or Zinc?
First, if your Lincoln penny is older than 1982 and it's not one of the 1943 steel cents, it's definitely made out of copper. If it is from 1983 or later, it is for sure made of 97,5% zinc plated with a thin copper coating.
In 1982, however, both 95% copper and copper-plated zinc pennies were made and there are a couple of ways to find out which one is yours.
To tell if a penny is made of copper or zinc, you can check its mass or melting behavior. Pre-1982 pennies (copper) weigh 3.1 grams, while post-1982 pennies (zinc) weigh 2.5 grams.
In addition, a full 50-cent roll of pre-1982/3 coins weighs 5.4 oz (150 g) compared to a post-1982–83 roll, which weighs 4.4 oz (120 g). Pennies from 1982 could be either. As a less practical mean, one could test its melting point: Zinc melts at 420°C and will liquefy quickly over a flame, whereas copper (melting point 1083°C) won't melt under the same conditions.
Final words
In this article you learned that the composition of pennies has evolved significantly over the years, influenced by historical events, resource availability, and economic factors.
From pure copper to the modern copper-plated zinc composition, these changes reflect the U.S. Mint's efforts to ensure durability, as well as cost balancing. While pennies hold little intrinsic metal value today, their historical and numismatic significance continues to make them an essential part of American coin collecting compared to other circulating coins.
What are pennies made from today?
The one-cent coin, commonly known as the Lincoln cents, is made from a copper and zinc planchet consisting of 97.5% zinc core and 2.5% copper plating.When did the penny stop being copper?
Pennies were composed of 100% copper from 1793 to 1857. Between 1856 and 1864, their composition shifted to 88% copper and 12% nickel. From 1864 until September 1982, they were primarily 95% copper and 5% zinc, except in 1943, when they were made of zinc-coated steel due to wartime material shortages. In 1982, however, the rising value of copper began exceeding the coin's face value, so the cent's composition was changed to a zinc core with a copper coating (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper).
What year is a penny worth $20,000?
A penny worth $20,000 or more is typically rare due to its condition, historical significance, or being a transitional coin. One notable example is the 1992 Close AM penny, distinguished by the close spacing between the "A" and "M" in "AMERICA" on the reverse design. This variety features a transitional design intended for 1993 and is extremely scarce. In January 2017, a 1992 Close AM penny graded MS67 Red sold for $25,850, and in 2020, another graded MS64 Red sold for $22,800. This variety is generally valued at around $20,000, based on the average prices it has reached in auctions.
Were all pennies before 1982 made of pure copper?
No, not all pennies before 1982 were made of pure solid copper. From 1793 to 1857, they were 100% copper coins, but later compositions included copper-nickel (1856–1864), copper-zinc (1864–1982), and zinc-coated steel in 1943. The copper prices began approaching one cent, and they might rise higher. As a result, there were nationwide penny shortages due to incessant hoarding.
Are pennies worth more for their metal content than their face value?
Modern pennies are generally worth less for their metal content than their face value. In numismatics, a coin's value depends on factors beyond its metal composition, such as rarity, historical significance, and unique errors like double dies or overstrikes.
As of January 2025, copper is priced at $4.00 per pound and zinc at $0.0029 per gram. A modern penny contains 0.0625 grams of copper (worth $0.00056) and 2.4375 grams of zinc (worth $0.0071), making its combined melt value less than its face value $0.01 and below production costs.
What were pennies made of during World War II?
During wartime, the demand for ammunition and military equipment required vast amounts of copper, which was already in short supply. To address this, the United States replaced the copper used in coinage with steel. The one-cent coin, minted in 1943, was made of 99% steel and coated with a thin layer of zinc. This wartime penny was the solution to conserve copper for the war effort.
How can I tell if a penny is made of copper or zinc?
A simple way to distinguish copper from zinc pennies is to drop them. Copper pennies make a higher-pitched sound, while zinc pennies produce a dull "clunk" and are silent when dropped on a solid surface. Or you could check their mass and melting behavior: Pre-1982 pennies weigh 3.1 grams, while post-1982 pennies weigh 2.5 grams. A roll of pre-1982 pennies weighs 5.4 oz, and post-1982 rolls weigh 4.4 oz. Pennies from 1982 could be either.
Do other countries make pennies out of different materials?
Yes, other countries make pennies or similar coins using different materials. In Canada, the last penny was issued in 2012 and was composed of a steel and nickel core with copper plating. The United Kingdom has continued producing its penny, which is made of copper-plated steel, since 1992. In Australia, the penny was minted from 1911 to 1964 and was composed of 97.5% copper, 2.0% zinc, and 0.5% tin, a durable bronze alloy.
How does the composition of a penny affect its durability?
A penny's durability is influenced by its composition: copper, as the outer layer, resists oxidation and acts as a protective barrier, extending the coin's lifespan. Copper's higher density (8.92 g/cm³) and corrosion resistance make it more resistant to wear and damage than zinc (7.14 g/cm³). While zinc is less durable, it is lighter and cost-effective, making it suitable for the core.
Can pennies be recycled for their metal content?
In short, no. The primary reason is that U.S. law prohibits the melting, treatment, or export of one-cent coins (in circulation or not) unless specifically authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury or otherwise permitted by regulation. Although copper is highly recyclable, modern pennies contain only 2.5% copper, about 0.0625 grams each, making meaningful recovery impractical. On top of that, older 100% copper pennies hold numismatic value (and often worth a lot of money) far exceeding their metals content. With that in mind, recycling pennies is legally restricted and economically unfeasible.
