Before what year were all pennies made out of copper?

Answer 1

1864 to 1942 3.11 g 19 mm 95.0% Copper and 5.0% Zinc & Tin (bronze mix)

1943 2.70 g 19 mm Steel with Zinc coating

1944 to 1946 3.11 g 19 mm 95.0% Copper and 5.0% Zinc & Tin (bronze mix)

1947-1962 3.11 g 19 mm 95.0% Copper and 5.0% Zinc & Tin (bronze mix)

1963-1982 3.11 g 19 mm 95.0% Cu and 5.0% Zinc

1983-Present 2.50 g 19 mm 97.5% Zinc and 2.5% Copper (20% lighter)

So from what I can surmise it was always made out of copper in the United States.

Answer 2

No. organic copper will be too smooth to act as a coin and would placed on out too quick. rather somewhat zinc changed into further to boost the hardness. through 1980 pennies were ninety 5% copper. In 1981 the alloy changed into replaced to a decrease share of copper, and in 1982 the copper clad zinc money began to be minted, so the penny on the on the spot consists of only 2.6% copper. This changed into done because the price of the copper in a penny made it too intense priced to fabricate at ninety 5% copper.

Answer 3

I think the switch was made during 1983. So, 1982 was the last year to be all copper.

Answer 4

1909---you need to research this-were the Indian Head Pennies pure copper? call a coin shop in the phone book----or call US Mint.