What are bronze pennies?
James Olson
Updated on April 07, 2026
History of composition
| Years | Material | Weight (grains) |
|---|---|---|
| 1864–1942 | bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) | 48 grains |
| 1943 | zinc-coated steel (also known as 1943 steel cent) | 42 grains |
| 1944–1946 | gilding metal (95% copper, 5% zinc) | 48 grains |
| 1947–1962 | bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) | 48 grains |
What year pennies are bronze?
From 1837 to 1857, the cent was made of bronze (95 percent copper, and five percent tin and zinc). From 1857, the cent was 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, giving the coin a whitish appearance.
How can you tell if you have a bronze penny?
The easiest way to determine whether or not your 1943 Cent has collectible value—to see if it is possibly bronze rather than steel—is simply to test it with a magnet. If the coin is magnetic, then it is, unfortunately, the common steel version and is not valuable in most cases.
Does a bronze penny stick to a magnet?
If your coin is attracted to the magnet, it is made of copper-plated steel (a fraud). If the magnet does not attract your coin, it may be made of bronze and you should have the coin authenticated to determine if it is the “real deal”. In 1943, the U.S.
How can I tell if I have a bronze penny?
Try picking your coin up with a magnet. If your coin is attracted to the magnet, it is made of copper-plated steel (a fraud). If the magnet does not attract your coin, it may be made of bronze and you should have the coin authenticated to determine if it is the “real deal”.
How much is a 1943 bronze penny worth?
Valuable 1943 and 1944 Pennies
| Date & Mint | Circulated | |
|---|---|---|
| Buy | Sell | |
| 1943 Bronze * | $29,000.00 | $140,000.00 |
| 1943-D Bronze * | $57,000.00 | $260,000.00 |
| 1943-S Bronze * | $92,000.00 | $400,000.00 |
What is the value of a silver penny?
Values of silver pennies are now on the Silver (Maundy) Penny page. Large copper coins dated 1799 are almost certainly halfpence . 1860 pennies with the words ONE PENNY on the reverse are the more common bronze type listed below. Many Victorian pennies have die varieties, but listing their values is too specialised. n.b.
What is the value of a 1944 Penny?
Pennies dated 1944, 1945 and 1946 were darkened at the Mint. t: toothed reverse as GVI coins. Copper & Bronze values extracted from Coin News Februaty 2021
What’s the value of a Lincoln Memorial Penny?
From 1983 until today, all U.S. pennies are made of mostly zinc. Most Lincoln Memorial Pennies are only worth face value unless they have their original copper luster from the Mint. In 2009, the U.S. Mint issued a unique commemorative set of four pennies to celebrate the 100th anniversary of President Lincoln’s birth and the Lincoln cent design.
Why are copper pennies so much more valuable?
The high value of this coin is due to its uncirculated condition and its original copper-red color. In 1856, the price of copper rose to the point that it took more than a penny’s worth of copper to make a penny. Prior to this date, pennies were large and bulky and were almost the size of a half-dollar.
