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The Material of Pennies

Are all pennies made from copper plated zinc? Are there any made of pure copper and what year were they made?

Jalissa [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Dolton, Illinois, USA
2002

To the best of my recollection, zinc wasn't added to copper pennies until 1982 (although some 1982 pennies were made with pure copper). Any penny dated prior to 1982 was made of pure copper (except, of course, those dated 1943 which were made of steel and plated with zinc!)

Marc Pepi
US Navy - China Lake, California, USA
2003

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How can you account for the difference in the average mass of two pennies? One from the pre-1982 and the other from the post-1982.

Court A.
- South Carolina
2005

What grade are you in, Court? If you're still in grade school, mass is the same thing as weight. When you take Physics in high school, then you'll need to learn the distinction.

Copper weighs more than zinc.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

Pennies before 1982 were 3.2g and after 2.5g.

Pat McGroin
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
2006

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