The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.
What date on a penny is worth money?
Lincoln pennies that were minted between 1959 and 1982 tend to be worth more since they are almost 100 percent copper, rather than an alloy. Improperly prepared dies can result in coins with a “double” image.
What year are pennies copper?
1982
In mid-1982, the coin’s composition was changed again, this time to copper-plated zinc. The last mostly-copper cents (95% copper metal composition) were produced by the Denver Mint on October 22, 1982. The copper-plated zinc cent coins are still being produced today.
How can you tell what a penny is made of?
Only use the drop test on circulating pennies where you are sorting copper and zinc for the bullion value only. Never drop collectible uncirculated or Proof coins in this fashion to test them, since dropping pennies on a hard surface might cause minor damage that can make a collectible coin less valuable. Watch out for “transitional” mint errors!
How can you tell if a penny is bronze?
“How can you tell if a penny is bronze?” If they are dated 1981 or earlier (EXCEPT 1943… I will get to that shortly), they are bronze… well, all the way down to 1864; before that they were either pure copper or a copper-nickel alloy called NS-12. In 1943, due to war shortages, pennies were minted in steel.
How can you tell if a penny is copper or zinc?
The wrong type of scale can be misleading when you are trying to sort copper and zinc pennies. If you don’t have a tenth-gram scale handy, you can use the “drop” test. You need a hard Formica or granite countertop surface, a known copper penny, and a known zinc penny. Drop each one onto the table, listening to its distinctive sound.
When did they stop making the copper penny?
Most pennies are copper, except for the 1943 war-time “steelies”. In 1942, the US Mint stopped production of the copper penny due to war time ammunition supply needs. Instead pennies were struck using steel plates and dipped in zinc. Unfortunately, the zinc corrodes over time leaving a dull steel color. What about the 1943 Copper Penny?
