Question about pennies?????

Question

What was the last year the US Mint produced pennies that were 100% copper?

Answer 1

You have to go far back to find pennies produced from 100% copper.

These 100% pure copper pennies were introduced in the years of 1793 through 1837.

in 1837 through 1857 the content of the penny was changed. It was no longer 100% pure copper but 95% copper and the rest was tin and zinc making the penny bronze instead of copper.

From 1857 to to 1864 the penny had a content of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel. This gave the the penny a whitish appearance.

In 1864 through 1962, with the exception of 1943, pennies went back to being made of bronze. 95 percent copper and the rest zinc and tin.

Actually in 1943 there were copper pennies but they were accidently produced. 40 are still believed to be in circulation. On a foot note one single copper penny was sold for $82,500 back in 1996. After the accident was corrected all other 1943 pennies were produced of steel. The reason for the change to steel for that year was that the war effort needed the copper.

1962 tin in pennies was no longer used. making the penny 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc.

That lasted for 20 year until the year 1982. That year production of the penny changed to a content of 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper. The 2.5 percent copper is copper plating.

Both types of pennies were produced in 1982 because the switchover did not happen at the beginning of the year but sometime during that year.

Answer 2

The last year of the 100% copper penny was 1981.

Answer 3

I believe that was 1981. The pennies of 1982
have zinc and other metals in them.

Answer 4

today as in the year 2007

Oops. Apparently they've added a small percentage of zinc and nickel on the outside coating. Guess its time to break into the piggy bank, and get rich.....NOT!! You dreamers.

Answer 5

If your thinking about scrapping them, it wont work, thats defacing government property.

Answer 6

'77 or '81