How To....?

[PAyoungin]

Is there any way to determine whether a penny made in 1982 is made of zinc or of copper. Thanks.
PAyoungin

 

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[jeff of pa]

Is there any way to determine whether a penny made in 1982 is made of zinc or of copper. Thanks.
PAyoungin

it can be done with some detectors.

do you have a Meter on yours ?

Does it have a Needle & or Numbers ?

Test a Copper Penny & a Zink Penny

If they come up Different.

You know what to do.

 

[SteveDodds]

The only way is to weigh them with a good gram scale. The copper version will weigh 3.11 grams. The copper plated zinc cent will weigh 2.5 grams.

 

[SteveDodds]

I suppose you could also cut em in half. They would probably look different on the inside.

 

[PAyoungin]

Thanks i think ill go withthe weighing, the cutting thing might be a bit too extreme. Thanks.
PAyoungin

 

[pickaway]

What is the difference in zinc and copper pennies? Is one worth more or what?I just weighed some and some weigh 2.5 grams (zinc) and others weigh 3.1 grams copper.Thanks for any info.

 

[jeff of pa]

What is the difference in zinc and copper pennies? Is one worth more or what?I just weighed some and some weigh 2.5 grams (zinc) and others weigh 3.1 grams copper.Thanks for any info.

There is no Difference in Value Except that Copper is worth more.

the EXCEPTION 1982 Zinc from Philadelphia.

Large date $1.00
SMALL Date $1.25

the D's have a Large & small but only worth .25 Cents Large & 10 Cents Small

The RED BOOK Dosn't say but would Imagine they mean Uncirculated.

MS-65

 

[Emperor Findus Cladius]

The biggest reason for the difference is due to the price of copper as a metal. A pre 1982 penny, and the copper 1982's, have just over 2 cents worth of copper in them. A lot of people, including me, are saving them in case there comes a way of trading them like silver coins do now.