How Much Copper is in a Penny?

History of the Penny

Pennies have 11 different designs since the conception of the currency. The year of the coin determines what percentage of copper it contains. It is the first type of currency authorized for production by the United States in 1787. The original coin was five times heaver and about 50% larger than the current version.Rumor has it Benjamin Franklin suggested the penny’s initial design and named it Fugio cent and was made of 100% copper. Over the next 200 years, the one-cent would receive several changes to its internal composition and exterior design.

Evolution of the Penny

The first change came in 1856 when the “Flying Eagle” scent started production with of 88% copper. In 1864, after the Civil War, the design changed again with a 95% copper 5% zinc make-up. Finally, in 1982, the coin would evolve into its modern form of only 5% copper and 95% zinc. The modern penny has the least amount of copper with a small 2.5% copper plating and a 97.5% zinc base.

So now, you know!