Pre-1982 US pennies are 95% copper and weigh 3.11 grams. Post-1982 pennies are 97.5% zinc with a thin copper plating and weigh 2.5 grams. The US Mint switched compositions mid-1982, so both alloys exist among 1982-dated cents. Every cent dated 1981 or earlier is copper; every cent dated 1983 or later is zinc.
At spot copper of $6.57 per avoirdupois pound (October 7, 2026, gold-api.com), a copper cent’s metal content calculates to about 4.3 cents — more than four times the coin’s 1-cent face value. The zinc cent’s metal is worth less than face value.
Critical legal note: 31 CFR Part 82 makes it unlawful to melt or export US one-cent and five-cent coins. Violation carries a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to five years. All melt values here are informational only.
US cent composition by era
Per US Mint specifications and US Mint historic coin production:
| Era | Years | Composition | Weight | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large cent | 1793–1857 | 100% copper | Various | 28–29 mm |
| Flying Eagle / Indian Head (early) | 1856–1864 | 88% Cu, 12% Ni | 4.67 g | 19.05 mm |
| Indian Head / Lincoln Wheat (bronze) | 1864–1942 | 95% Cu, 5% Sn+Zn | 3.11 g | 19.05 mm |
| Lincoln Wheat (steel) | 1943 | Zinc-plated steel | 2.70 g | 19.05 mm |
| Lincoln Wheat (bronze, recycled brass) | 1944–1958 | 95% Cu, 5% Zn | 3.11 g | 19.05 mm |
| Lincoln Memorial (copper) | 1959–1982 | 95% Cu, 5% Zn | 3.11 g | 19.05 mm |
| Lincoln Memorial (zinc) — transition | 1982 | 97.5% Zn, 2.5% Cu | 2.50 g | 19.05 mm |
| Lincoln Memorial / Shield (zinc) | 1983–2025 | 97.5% Zn, 2.5% Cu | 2.50 g | 19.05 mm |
Note: 1944–1946 cents were struck from salvaged brass shell casings (95% Cu, 5% Zn) — the same alloy and weight as other copper cents, so they calculate identically.
The US Mint ended production of circulating pennies on November 12, 2025. Existing coins remain legal tender and continue circulating. Collector coins (proof and uncirculated sets) continue to be struck. Pre-1982 copper cents are now a closed set — no more will be made.
How to identify copper pennies
By date: Every cent dated 1981 or earlier is copper (95%). Every cent dated 1983 or later is zinc. The 1982 date requires a scale.
By weight (the definitive test):
- Copper = 3.11 g
- Zinc = 2.50 g
A digital jewelry scale or postal scale accurate to 0.01 g reliably sorts 1982 cents. For bulk sorting, set the threshold at 2.8 g — anything above is copper. Scales accurate to 0.1 g will also work for most coins, since the difference (0.61 g) exceeds most 0.1g scales’ resolution.
By sound (drop test): Drop a cent onto a hard surface. Copper rings at a higher, clearer pitch; zinc produces a duller thud. This method works with practice but is not as reliable as weighing. Use it for quick pre-sorting before a scale check.
By edge (sometimes): Zinc cents occasionally show slight separation or bubbling at the edge due to corrosion under the copper plating. This is not universal and is most visible on heavily circulated coins.
1943 cents: Always test with a magnet first. The 1943 steel cent sticks firmly to any magnet; genuine copper 1943 cents do not. Never assume a non-magnetic 1943 cent is the copper error without professional authentication — the stakes are high and fakes (copper-plated steel) are common.
Melt value calculation
Per US Mint specs, the copper cent contains 0.00651 avoirdupois pounds of copper (from data: 3.11g × 0.95 ÷ 453.592 g/lb = 0.006514 lb).
Copper cent melt value (October 7, 2026 spot: $6.57/lb copper):
Copper in coin: 3.11 × 0.95 = 2.9545 g = 0.006514 lb
Melt: 0.006514 × $6.57 = $0.0428About 4.28 cents per copper cent. At this price:
- 100 copper cents: $4.28 metal value ($1.00 face)
- 1,000 copper cents: $42.80 metal value ($10.00 face)
Zinc cent melt value:
Copper in zinc cent: 2.50 × 0.025 = 0.0625 g Cu
Zinc in zinc cent: 2.50 × 0.975 = 2.4375 g Zn
Copper: 0.0625 g ÷ 453.592 × $6.57 = $0.0009
Zinc: (2.4375 ÷ 453.592) × $1.40/lb = $0.0075
Total: $0.0084 per zinc cent — below face valueThe zinc cent’s metal is worth less than one cent at current prices. The copper cent’s metal is worth more than four times face. This is why people sort pre-1982 cents — but it also explains why 31 CFR Part 82 was enacted in 2007.
Use the Penny Melt Value Calculator for live copper prices and bulk totals.
The 31 CFR Part 82 legal prohibition
The US Mint issued 31 CFR Part 82 (effective December 14, 2006) making it unlawful to melt one-cent and five-cent coins. Penalties per § 82.4: up to $10,000 fine and/or up to five years imprisonment. Exceptions under § 82.2 include:
- Treatment “for educational, amusement, novelty, jewelry, and similar purposes” that is clearly not for metal value
- Export of up to $100 face value per shipment for legitimate numismatic use
- Coins incidentally present in materials being recycled for other purposes
Note: § 82.2(d) specifically exempts war nickels (1942–1945, marked with copper-silver-manganese alloy) from the five-cent melting prohibition. Pre-1983 copper cents are NOT exempt — the prohibition applies to all one-cent coins regardless of composition.
See is it illegal to melt pennies for the full legal discussion.
What to do with copper pennies
Keep them: Many people accumulate copper cents as a long-term copper holding. The value is real even without the ability to melt.
Sell sorted rolls to collectors: A market of coin roll hunters and copper cent buyers exists on eBay, Reddit (r/Coinhunting), and coin forums. Sorted rolls of 50 copper cents typically sell at small premiums above face — check recent sold listings for current prices.
Sell in bulk by weight: Some copper cent buyers purchase in larger quantities by weight. This is a lower-effort exit than selling rolls individually but typically yields slightly less per coin.
Sort the 1982 pile first: Start with all unsorted pennies, remove everything pre-1982 by date, then weigh all 1982 cents to separate copper from zinc. The result: two clearly sorted groups, ready for storage or sale.
Common mistakes
Assuming all 1982 cents are one type: Both exist. Weigh every 1982 cent. There are also seven 1982 varieties (large date / small date, copper / zinc, three mint marks) that numismatists distinguish — but for basic sorting, weight alone is sufficient.
Forgetting that the composition changed mid-year in 1982: It was not a January 1 switchover. Both alloys were produced throughout 1982. Date alone cannot identify the alloy for 1982 cents.
Mistaking 1943 steel cents for copper error coins: 1943 steel cents are common and nearly worthless. The genuine 1943 copper error is one of the rarest US coins. A magnet test takes two seconds and rules out the steel immediately. See 1943 steel penny value for authentication guidance.