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Penny metals by yearWhat are pennies made of?
Pennies made since 1982 are copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper): a zinc core with a thin copper coat, weighing about 2.50 g. The metal changed several times since 1856, and it is one of the quickest clues to which penny you have and what to check.
Penny metal by year
| Years | Metal | Weight | Magnetic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1856–1864 | Copper-nickel (88% copper, 12% nickel) | 4.67 g | No |
| 1864–1942, 1947–1961 | Bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) | 3.11 g | No |
| 1943 | Zinc-coated steel | 2.70 g | Yes |
| 1944–1946, 1962–1982 | Brass (95% copper, 5% zinc) | 3.11 g | No |
| 1982–2026 | Copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) | 2.50 g | No |
Some years had errors struck on the wrong metal, such as the rare 1943 bronze and 1944 steel pennies. See the 1943 magnet test, the 1944 steel penny and the 1982 weight test.
Questions
What are pennies made of?
Pennies made since 1982 are copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper): a zinc core with a thin copper coat, weighing about 2.50 g. Before that, most pennies were copper alloys (about 95% copper) weighing about 3.11 g; the 1943 penny was zinc-coated steel, and the first pennies (1856–1864) were copper-nickel.
Are pennies made of copper?
Pennies dated 1983 and later are mostly zinc with a thin copper coat. Most pennies from 1864 to 1982 are about 95% copper. 1982 pennies were made in both metals, so weigh a 1982 penny to tell them apart (about 3.11 g copper, 2.50 g zinc).
Why is my 1943 penny silver-colored?
1943 pennies were made of zinc-coated steel to save copper during World War II. They are silver-grey, weigh about 2.70 g and stick to a magnet.
Check your own penny
Take a photo of each side. Penny Value reads the date and the mint mark and tells you what metal your penny should be and what to check.
Check your own pennyPenny Value is an Android app for now, so it isn't on the App Store. The values and checks on this page are free to use.Penny Value is an Android app. Open this page on your Android phone to check your own penny with a photo.