Letter 32066

Black stuff inside newer pennies  

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Every once in a while I get a penny that is broken. Yes, actually broken not bent or cut in half. Inside is something like a black slate. It doesnt look like zinc or any sort of metal. What the heck is that?

Rich W.
student - Albion, MI, United States

Easy way to find out, take a file to it, see if the color is the same throughout, if so then see what it will disolve in.

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina

New pennies have a thin layer of copper covering a zinc core. The reason for this is because the amount of copper to make a solid penny is twice the worth of the penny itself. When zinc oxidizes, it forms black zinc oxide. If you were to scrape it off, you would see a silvery metal, zinc.

Michael Lane
- Little Rock, Alabamba, United States of America

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