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In 1982, the coin’s composition changed again to copper-plated zinc. These coins, which are still being produced today, contain 97.6 percent zinc and 2.4 percent copper.
How do you tell if my 1982 penny is copper or zinc?
If your Lincoln Memorial penny has a date before 1982, it is made of 95% copper. If the date is 1983 or later, it is made of 97.5% zinc and plated with a thin copper coating. For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them.
How much is a 1982 copper penny worth?
Copper Pennies The 1982 copper penny with no mint mark and the small date is worth around $0.50 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. The 1982 D copper penny is worth around $0.30 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade.
Are copper pennies worth more than zinc pennies?
A copper penny is worth more than other pennies — now mostly made of zinc — currently priced at $0.024.
How much are pre 1982 pennies worth?
So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years. So a penny produced before 1982 is worth 2.2 cents based on the metal it contains.
Why is a 1982 penny worth $10000?
The last year pennies were made from copper was 1982. Before you cash in on the $10,000, the penny has to be graded and certified. That can be expensive. Once the penny is certified, you can call McPheeters at 918-923-7325.
How many 1983 copper pennies have been found?
Especially, since the U.S Mint struck over 14 billion 1983 Lincoln Cent for circulation at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint combined. Few variety or error coins from the Memorial Cent series have caught the attention of non-collectors or even the media’s.
When did they stop making pennies out of copper?
The alloy remained 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc until 1982, when the composition was changed to 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper (copper-plated zinc). Cents of both compositions appeared in that year.
Why is the 1982-D penny rare?
Newly found 1982-D Small date copper cent. The Mint switched over from striking copper-alloy to copper-plated zinc planchets sometime in mid-1982 as a cost saving measure – the copper-alloy planchets were too expensive to strike and the Mint was losing money.
Can you sell pennies for scrap copper?
Not only is it illegal to scrap copper pennies or any US currency but it can come with a costly fine and a visit to prison. While occasionally scrap yards “accept” coins as scrap, it is completely illegal in the US and both parties can be arrested for it.
How much is a 1943 steel penny worth?
Value of a 1943 Steel Penny They are worth about 10 to 13 cents each in circulated condition, and as much as 50 cents or more if uncirculated.
Is it illegal to melt pennies?
Effective today, the U.S. Mint has implemented an interim rule that makes it illegal to melt nickels and pennies, or to export them in mass quantities. To avoid this costly coin shortage, the new regulations prohibit the melting or treatment of all 1- and 5-cent U.S. coins.
How much is a 1944 wheat penny worth?
The 1944 Wheat penny without a mint mark is worth about 15 cents. One with a “D” mintmark in Extremely Fine condition could sell for about twenty cents. If it’s Uncirculated, expect it to be priced at around 35 cents. 1944 Wheat pennies with distinctive attributes could be worth thousands of dollars.
What is a 2021 copper penny worth?
Lincoln cents have a composition of 2.5% copper with the balance zinc. Five-cent coins are minted in 25% nickel with the balance copper. Dimes, quarters, and half dollars are each composed in 8.33% nickel with their balance copper.
How much does a 1969 penny worth?
The 1969 penny with no mint mark is worth around $0.70 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. The 1969 D penny is worth around $0.30 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. The 1969 S penny is worth around $0.50 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade.
What makes a 1992 penny valuable?
Due to a mix-up at the mint back in 1992, a proof die was used for the reverse of the coin before it was supposed to be used starting in 1993. The distance between the bottom of the AM in AMERICA is a distinguishing factor, as is the distance between the FG initials and the base of the Lincoln Memorial.
Are 1973 pennies worth anything?
The 1973 penny with no mint mark and the 1973 D penny are each worth around $0.30 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. The 1973 S penny is worth around $0.85 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. Proof coins with the S mint mark are available and they are each valued at around $1 in PR 65 condition.
What is the error on a 1982 penny?
It’s the 1982-D “small date” Lincoln Memorial cent made from copper. There wasn’t supposed to be any “small date” bronze Lincoln cents struck in Denver in 1982. Leftover copper planchets struck with the new “Small Date” dies meant for zinc coins caused this error coin rarity.
