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    • What Should I be for Halloween Ideas for Kids
    • Yoga Halloween Costume Party Ideas
  • Christmas
    • Bad Case of The Holiday Blues?
    • Christmas Gifts of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Gold
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    • Music Box a Musical Christmas Gift Idea
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    • Best Homemade Holiday Gifts For Cats
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    • Crochet Cotton Dishcloth Pattern free
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    • Origami Paper Fortune Teller Cootie Catcher
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    • Top DIY Holiday Gift Ideas
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  • Fashion
    • Best Designer Hobo Purses
    • Matching Pajamas for the Entire Family
    • Perfume Notes Explained
    • Red Hat Society Hats and Bonnets
    • Unisex Fragrance: Re-Defining Gender Based Perfume
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    • Blue Sapphire Jewelry Symbolism and Meaning
    • Dragon Symbolism in a Gift of Jewelry
    • How to Choose a Diamond Cut Clarity and Color
    • Men's Watch Gold Sport Solar Wood or Brand Name?
    • Opal Jewelry Meaning and Symbolism
  • Romance
    • 50 Romantic Things to do for Your Girl
    • Love Notes Write one today
    • Love Spell Potion Natural Scents or Pheromones
    • Romantic Holiday Gift Ideas for Men
    • Romantic Home Dinner Date Ideas
    • Unique and Unusual Flower Gift Ideas
  • Country Living
    • Black Bear Theme Wildlife Gift Ideas
    • Fishing Tackle Box a Practical and Affordable Gift
    • Four Leaf Clover Good Luck Charm
    • Hanging a Horseshoe for Good Luck
    • Moose Theme Wildlife Gift Ideas
    • Squirrel Facts and Gift Ideas
    • Toilet Outhouse a Wood Outdoor Bathroom
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    • Dinosaur Statue for the Garden or Home
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    • Fun Area Play Rugs for Kid's Room Decor
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    • Afternoon High Tea Party it was an English Idea
    • Baking Healthier Cookies Cakes and Pies
    • Best Cookware: Steel Glass Aluminum or Non-Stick
    • Best Cutting Board Material Wood Stone Plastic or Glass?
    • Best Gift Ideas for the Party Hostess
    • Decorative Glass Mason Jars for Kitchen Gift Ideas
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    • Building Blocks for Kids it's an Educational Game
    • Diary With a Lock and Key for Boy or Girl
    • Games For The Pool Summer Fun for Kids
    • Monster High Birthday Party Decorations Ideas
    • Monster High Books for Tween Girls
    • Nightlights for Children with a Fear of the Dark
    • Tonka Heavy Duty Construction Company Metal Truck Toys
    • Webkinz Endangered Animal Species Plush Toy
    • Webkinz Pet of The Month for Halloween October
    • Webkinz Plush Pet Cats for Kids
  • Gift Tips
    • Regifting Unwanted Gifts Gift Giving Etiquette
    • Holiday Gift Mistakes You Don't Want to Make
    • Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas
    • Bargain Shopping: My Secret Addiction
    • Why a Gift Card can be the Best Holiday Present
  • About

How do You Know if a Penny is Copper?

Date,Weight, and Sound are Indicators of a Penny's Metal Content
How do You Know if a Penny is Copper: The Gift Ideas List Site
So how do you tell if your penny is copper or zinc? There are actually quite a few ways that you can find out. Over the many years that pennies have been minted in the United States they have been made from varying combinations of copper, zinc, nickel, and tin. The metal composition of your coins is one indicator of their value.

The weight of the penny, the date of the penny, and the sound of the penny as it hits a hard surface are all indications of whether that one cent coin is made from copper or zinc. A copper penny is heavier than a zinc one. A copper coin also has a different sound to it when dropped than a zinc one does.

If you don't feel like going through all the work of weighing in your penny just give it a little toss upwards. A copper penny will have a slight ringing sound when it lands whereas a zinc penny will just hit with a little thunk. A copper penny weighs 3.11 grams while a zinc penny weighs in at 2.5 grams. 

Check Out the Date on Your One Cent Coins
How do You Know if a Penny is Copper: The Gift Ideas List Site
Shake that little penny out of your piggy bank and take a closer look at it. If you know the date or production year of your penny then you just might be able to figure it out. 

If your penny is older than 1837 then it is indeed a pure copper penny. All pennies minted previous to 1837 were made of one hundred percent copper and were in fact, the only true copper pennies to be put into general circulation in the United States.

From 1837 onward pennies have been created from a blend of metals rather than from genuine one hundred percent copper. For a ten year period between 1837 and 1857 pennies were created using an eighty-eight percent copper and five percent tin and zinc blend. So the copper penny still sported quite a nice percentage of copper over it's other counterparts.

The Rising Price of Copper is to Blame
How do You Know if a Penny is Copper: The Gift Ideas List Site
From 1864 to 1942, the ratio of copper within the United States penny actually increased. Pennies minted during this time period were made from a ninety-five percent copper plus five percent tin and zinc combination.

This is where World War ll comes into play in how the penny was minted. Because the war effort required copper, the penny like many other things, paid the sacrifice. In 1943, the penny contained absolutely zero copper. It was made of steel and coated with zinc.

Between 1944 and 1982, the noble penny returned to it's ninety-five percent copper percentage combined with either a five percent blend of zinc, or mix of zinc and tin.
As copper became a more valuable resource, it was discovered that it was beginning to cost more to mint a penny than it was worth. Because of rising costs for copper, pennies minted from 1982 to today have been minted using a blend of 97.5 percent zinc and a 2.5 percent copper shell. The noble penny is no longer a genuine copper. It is now officially just a penny.

There are, of course, always a few exceptions to the rule and the penny is no exception to this. Usually, if you can find one of these exceptions, then you may have found yourself a coin that has the potential to be very valuable, and it may be worth your while to check it out further.

​​But Wait! There is More Than First Meets The Eye
How do You Know if a Penny is Copper: The Gift Ideas List Site
If you spot a coin in your pocket or piggy bank that just doesn't look quite right, stop and give it a second look as it might just be worth a little more than the value that is written on the face of the coin. There are a couple unique pennies that you just may want to keep a close look out for.

There were a few copper pennies created in 1943. These copper pennies can be quite a valuable find. There are also pennies that were minted from 1944 to 1946 using the metal from old ammunition shells. These pennies may have a darker color than normal pennies or have streaks of color within them. How is that for an early idea for recycling?

To discover if your pennies really are largely made of copper simply pull them out of your pocket and compare them to the above list. Just keep in mind that there are many factors other than its composition which can make a penny valuable.

How do You Know if a Penny is Copper: The Gift Ideas List Site
Lorelei Cohen
Writing is my hobby, my work, my play, and my passion. I have enjoyed creating online articles since March 2007 and write on a variety of topics. I hope you enjoy your visit.
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  • Home
    • Baby Shower Idea List
    • Best Gift Ideas For That Crazy Cat Lady
    • Creative Senior Gift Ideas for the Elderly
    • Ethical Holiday Gift Giving
    • Fun and Creative Ways to Gift Cash
    • Gifts for Grumpy Men and Women
    • Hate Winter? Gift Items to Keep you Warm in the Cold
    • List of Gifts for a 20 or 21 Year Old
    • List for Special Needs Disabled
    • Redneck Gift Ideas List
    • Student, Writer, Secretary
    • Teacher Holiday Ideas List
  • Girls
    • List for a 3 or 4 Year Old Girl
    • List for a 5, 6, 7 Year Old Girl
    • List for a 8 or 9 Year Old Girl
    • List for a 10 Year Old Girl
    • List for Tween Age Girls
    • List for an 11 Year Old Girl
    • List for a 12 Year Old Girl
    • List for a 13 Year Old Girl
    • List for a 14 Year Old Girl
    • List for a 15 Year Old Girl
    • List for a 16 or 17 Year Old Girl
    • Cool Work Tools for Women
    • Ladies Holiday Wish List
  • Boys
    • List for a 3 or 4 Year Old Boy
    • List for a 5 Year Old Boy
    • List for a 6 or 7 Year Old Boy
    • List for a 8 or 9 Year Old Boy
    • Gift Ideas for a 10 or 11 Year Old Tween Boy
    • Gift Idea List For a 12 Year Old Boy
    • List for a 13 or 14 Year Old Boy
    • Gift Idea List for a 15 or 16 Year Old Boy
    • List for a 17 or 18 Year Old Boy
    • Gift Ideas for the Man Who Has Everything
    • Mens Holiday Wish List
  • Holidays
    • June 15th Power of a Smile Day
    • Valentine's Day Gifts
    • Saint Patrick's Day
    • St. Patrick's Day Clothing Wearing of the Green
    • Fathers Day Gifts for Dad
    • Mothers Day: Mom
    • Mothers Day: Grandma
    • Rat Catcher's Day
    • Power of a Smile Day Event Activities
    • Independence Day Flag Day
    • Workaholic's Day July 5th
    • Fried Chicken Day July 6th
    • Cow Appreciation Day at Chick Fil A
    • Daylight Savings Time Change
    • Most Depressing Day of the Year: Blue Monday
  • Halloween
    • Cardboard Box Halloween Costume Ideas
    • Halloween Bath Decor Ideas
    • Halloween Birds
    • Halloween Party Dance Music
    • Halloween Party Favors for Kids
    • Halloween Treats That Are Not Candy
    • How to Get Your Cat or Dog to Put on a Halloween Costume
    • Scary Weird Halloween Zombie Gift Ideas
    • What Should I be for Halloween Ideas for Kids
    • Yoga Halloween Costume Party Ideas
  • Christmas
    • Bad Case of The Holiday Blues?
    • Christmas Gifts of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Gold
    • Christmas Holiday Bath and Shower Decor Ideas
    • Fairy Elf Party Dessert Treats
    • Holiday Side Dish Recipe a Healthy Fruit Salad
    • Holiday Traditions: Christmas Wish List
    • Music Box a Musical Christmas Gift Idea
    • Rainbow Christmas Tree Theme Ideas
    • Redneck Country Christmas Tree Ornaments
    • Traditional Boxed Christmas Greeting Cards
  • DIY
    • Best Homemade Holiday Gifts For Cats
    • Crafts Bacon Christmas Ornament
    • Crochet Cotton Dishcloth Pattern free
    • Crochet Hook Standard Size Conversion Chart
    • Knit Bell a Holiday Craft Pattern
    • Knit Crafts: Heart Washcloth Pattern
    • Origami Paper Fortune Teller Cootie Catcher
    • Pom Poms for Monster High Fearleading Cheerleader Dolls
    • Top DIY Holiday Gift Ideas
  • Weddings
    • Creative Ways to Give Money as a Wedding Gift
    • Flower Girl Formal Dresses for Wedding Party
    • Going Green in Your Wedding Theme
    • Funny Redneck Wedding Cake Designs
    • Meaning of a Red Wedding Dress
    • Welcoming a New Daughter in Law to the Family
  • Anniversaries
    • 1st Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 2nd Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 3rd Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 4th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 5th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 6th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 7th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 8th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 9th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 10th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 11th Wedding Anniversary Traditional, Modern, Gem Stone, and Flower Gift List
  • 12th to 30th
    • 12th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 13th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 14th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 15th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 16th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 17th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 18th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 19th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 20th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
    • 30th Wedding Anniversary Gift List
  • Fashion
    • Best Designer Hobo Purses
    • Matching Pajamas for the Entire Family
    • Perfume Notes Explained
    • Red Hat Society Hats and Bonnets
    • Unisex Fragrance: Re-Defining Gender Based Perfume
    • Jewelry
    • Blue Sapphire Jewelry Symbolism and Meaning
    • Dragon Symbolism in a Gift of Jewelry
    • How to Choose a Diamond Cut Clarity and Color
    • Men's Watch Gold Sport Solar Wood or Brand Name?
    • Opal Jewelry Meaning and Symbolism
  • Romance
    • 50 Romantic Things to do for Your Girl
    • Love Notes Write one today
    • Love Spell Potion Natural Scents or Pheromones
    • Romantic Holiday Gift Ideas for Men
    • Romantic Home Dinner Date Ideas
    • Unique and Unusual Flower Gift Ideas
  • Country Living
    • Black Bear Theme Wildlife Gift Ideas
    • Fishing Tackle Box a Practical and Affordable Gift
    • Four Leaf Clover Good Luck Charm
    • Hanging a Horseshoe for Good Luck
    • Moose Theme Wildlife Gift Ideas
    • Squirrel Facts and Gift Ideas
    • Toilet Outhouse a Wood Outdoor Bathroom
  • Home Decor
    • Dinosaur Statue for the Garden or Home
    • Dust Mite Covers Make Night Time Breathing Easier
    • Fun Area Play Rugs for Kid's Room Decor
    • Key Drop Boxes a Safe Deposit Solution
    • Secret Book Box Compartment Storage
    • Sit to Stand Crank Desk an Office Fitness Solution
    • Witchy Glass Potion Spell Bottles and Jars
  • Foodie
    • Afternoon High Tea Party it was an English Idea
    • Baking Healthier Cookies Cakes and Pies
    • Best Cookware: Steel Glass Aluminum or Non-Stick
    • Best Cutting Board Material Wood Stone Plastic or Glass?
    • Best Gift Ideas for the Party Hostess
    • Decorative Glass Mason Jars for Kitchen Gift Ideas
    • DIY Homemade Cookie Gifts
    • White Tea, Oolong, Black, or Green
    • Recipes
    • Banana Nut Quick Bread Recipe
    • Deep Fried Honey Garlic Chicken Wing Appetizer Recipe
    • Homemade Onion Garlic or Dill Chip Dip Recipe
  • Health
    • Eco-Friendly Holiday List
    • Natural Shea Butter Uses and Benefits
    • Massage Cushion: Relief of Muscle Pain and Tension
    • Natural Himalayan Salt Lamp and Inhaler Gift Ideas
    • Ten not so Secret Tips for a Long Happy Life
    • What is the Difference Between a Humidifier and a Vaporizer
  • Educational
    • Are Crossword Puzzles Brain Exercise for Adults
    • Doodling Drawing Coloring for Kids and Teens
    • Hidden Object Adult Puzzle Game Books
    • Science Gift and Game Ideas for Kids
    • Subliminal Message Subconscious Learning gift ideas for students
  • Collectables
    • Collectible Toy Price Value Guide
    • How do You Know if a Penny is Copper?
    • NFL Sports Team Collectibles Fan Gifts
    • Paper Dolls A Collectable Classic Toy
    • Retro Vintage Metal Lunch Box
    • Russian Matryoshka Babushka Nesting Dolls a History Rich in Tradition
  • Kids
    • Building Blocks for Kids it's an Educational Game
    • Diary With a Lock and Key for Boy or Girl
    • Games For The Pool Summer Fun for Kids
    • Monster High Birthday Party Decorations Ideas
    • Monster High Books for Tween Girls
    • Nightlights for Children with a Fear of the Dark
    • Tonka Heavy Duty Construction Company Metal Truck Toys
    • Webkinz Endangered Animal Species Plush Toy
    • Webkinz Pet of The Month for Halloween October
    • Webkinz Plush Pet Cats for Kids
  • Gift Tips
    • Regifting Unwanted Gifts Gift Giving Etiquette
    • Holiday Gift Mistakes You Don't Want to Make
    • Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas
    • Bargain Shopping: My Secret Addiction
    • Why a Gift Card can be the Best Holiday Present
  • About