No! It is not worth 2c for the copper. First of all, it is illegal to melt them, but if it was legal, it is only worth about 25% of the price of Grade A copper because it is an alloy, not pure copper. Chris
collecting copper/zinc coins for copper value is not against the law, however melting them would be if there still issued as currency.
Why is it that when someone gets caught with their foot in their mouth, they just keep on sucking rather than admit they made a mistake? Grade A Copper sells for $2.77/lb. There are 146 Lincoln cents per lb. Reclamation centers routinely pay 25% of the Grade A Copper price for copper alloy. Do the math! Chris
That explains people stealing wads of copper and selling it. Not worth the time to me but I guess people disagree. Certainly not worth hoarding cents for.
Prohibition on the Exportation, Melting, or Treatment of 5-Cent and One-Cent Coins – In 2006/2007 it became illegal to export, melt, or treat pennies and nickels, giving us the hard proof needed that the U.S. government endorses the metal value of the penny and nickel out-weighing the face value to the point of worth hoarding for copper value. (b) The prohibition contained in § 82.1 against the treatment of 5-cent coins and one-cent coins shall not apply to the treatment of these coins for educational, amusement, novelty, jewelry, and similar purposes as long as the volumes treated and the nature of the treatment makes it clear that such treatment is not intended as a means by which to profit solely from the value of the metal content of the coins. https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...r-treatment-of-5-cent-and-one-cent-coins#p-25
Well, Mr Know-it-all doesn't know everything. What a pity. As you can see "The prohibition contained in § 82.1 against the treatment of 5-cent coins and one-cent coins shall not apply to the treatment of these coins for educational, amusement, novelty, jewelry, and similar purposes as long as the volumes treated and the nature of the treatment makes it clear that such treatment is not intended as a means by which to profit solely from the value of the metal content of the coins." means it's not illegal.