Search our quarter-million Q&As

Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989

-----

The Zinc-Coated Penny Dilemma

I have a zinc-coated penny dated 1943. I found it one day while out for a walk. I understand that these pennies were minted during the time of WWII (hence the date) and that this was done to preserve copper for the war efforts. I am still confused as to what all the surplus copper was used for and when the circulation of these zinc-coated pennies was discontinued. I have been fascinated with this "unusual" penny ever since I found it. Any information would be helpful. Thank you.

Robert Harris
- Chicago, Illinois USA
2002

---

Take a magnet and hold it up to that '43 penny. You'll soon learn it isn't zinc coated, but rather stamped from steel. Copper was rationed for a variety of reasons, I'll bet the biggest was for the manufacture of bullets.

Jake Koch
G. J. Nikolas &Co.,Inc.

Bellwood, Illinois

2002

I was wondering why pennies aren't made entirely out of zinc? Why do they place a copper coating over the zinc.

Alyson Jordan
- Richton Park, Illinois, U.S.A
2003

---

Hi Alyson. Zinc corrodes too rapidly to be useful as a coin.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
January 1, 2013

Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.

---

---