copper coated zinc pennies

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by leaconcen, Mar 4, 2012.

  1. leaconcen

    leaconcen learning constantly

    Recently, I picked up some copper coated zinc pennies from my car and close by was a Canadian coin. The pennies looked awful, but the Canadian coin looked pristine. This experience has made me aware these pennies will never stay in even good condition for long. The only pennies that will last will be those collectors keep.
     
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  3. Johnvan

    Johnvan Member

    Are Canadian pennies also bi-metal? Just curious.---John
     
  4. RobertAPearce

    RobertAPearce Member

    I've been wanting to ask a question about pennies, specifically, the 1982 pennies during the time the change was made from mostly copper, to copper plated?

    How do you tell them apart. I recently went through a coffee can my wife dug out of her closet, and separated them in to Pre-1982, 1982, and Post-1982.

    Keeping the 1982's separate, I wanted to find out how to tell them apart. According to what I've seen, both came in Large Date/Small Date, and my only idea so far is to weigh them individually.

    Robert
     
  5. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Yep, pretty much. Or you could always heat them and see which ones melt, or cut them open. :)
     
  6. quartertapper

    quartertapper Numismatist

    Well Robert, there used to be a little see-saw type scale that told you if it was a copper cent or a zinc cent. But, if you go on ebay these days, you can pick up a little scale that's fairly accurate for under $15 shipped. For coin collectors, these can be used for more than just separating cents, so it would be worth buying one in my opinion.
     
  7. quartertapper

    quartertapper Numismatist

    Yes, the Canadian cents are made of copper plated steel. Definitely cheaper to make, but still costs more to produce than its face value I'm sure.
     
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