answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The current U.S. cent is copper plated zinc. Go back a bit and it was different. Here's the breakdown: 1793 to 1857 - copper 1857 to 1864 - 88% copper, 12% nickel (the so-called NS-12 alloy) 1864 to 1942 - bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 1943 - zinc-coated steel (the so-called steel penny) 1944 to 1946 - brass (95% copper, 5% zinc) 1946 to 1962 - bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 1962 to 1982 - brass (95% copper, 5% zinc) 1982 to present - 97.5% zinc core, 2.5% copper plating The history of the U.S. cent is a long and interesting one. A link can be found below if you're curious about reviewing it.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

4mo ago

Pennies in the United States are made mostly of copper (97.5%), with a small amount of zinc (2.5%). This composition creates the distinctive reddish color of the coin.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What metals are used to make the penny?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the value of a 1909 lead penny?

There's no such thing as a "lead penny". The only metals used to make U.S. cents have been copper, bronze, steel (1943 only) and zinc (1982-present).


What are the coinage elements?

The coinage elements are the metals that are used to make coins. They are the three metals from Group 11 of the periodic table - copper, silver and gold.


What metals are used to make fans?

Steel and aluminum are used to make funs.


What was used to make a penny in the past?

Copper and tin


What metals are used to make airplanes?

Aluminium.


Which two metals are most commonly used to make a knifes blade?

The two most common metals used to make knives are steel and iron.


What is the metal content of a 1921 British penny?

British predecimal Pennies from 1860 to 1967 were made from bronze. Although the exact percentages of metals used to make up the bronze alloy varied over the years, the 1921 Penny was made from 95% copper, 4% tin and 1% zinc.


What metal is the 1922 British Penny made from?

British predecimal Pennies from 1860 to 1967 were made from bronze. Although the exact percentages of metals used to make up the bronze alloy varied over the years, the 1922 Penny was made from 95% copper, 4% tin and 1% zinc.


What kind of matter is a penny?

A penny is primarily made of copper, with a small percentage of zinc. These metals are combined to create a durable and corrosion-resistant coin that is commonly used in currency.


What metals are used to make metal screws?

Metals are used for the production of screws as they are materials with high hardness and resistance to stress.


What metals are used to make ferromagnets?

Iron, nickel, and cobalt are the most common metals used to make ferromagnets. These metals have magnetic properties that allow them to be easily magnetized and retain their magnetism.


What is the value of a 1945 penny with a masonic symbol engraved on Lincoln's chest?

September 3, 2009 The coin you have described is defaced and as such has no numisnamtic value at all. Its worth is equal to that of the metals used to make it which today is about 1.8 cents.