The isotope composition of early coins spanning the period 1828 to 1843 reflects the copper from Cornish ores from England, while coins after 1850 reflect the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan ores, a finding consistent with historical records. · What are Pennies made of? Pennies are thought to be primarily copper due to their color, but they also contain an alloy, which became the standard in 1983. · Pennies, or U.S. cents, have undergone several changes in composition over the years. Since 1982, pennies have been made primarily of zinc, composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper plating. · What Are Pennies Made Of? The modern United States penny is made from 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, a dramatic change from the pure copper composition of America's earliest cents. · Modern United States pennies, minted since 1982, are primarily composed of zinc with a thin copper plating. These coins consist of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper by weight. Since 1982, the current one-cent coin, also known as the Penny, is composed of a zinc core (97.5%) with a thin outer coating of copper (2.5%). In 1982, Penny became less popular as copper grew more valuable than the amount used in its composition. The design on the first penny was of a woman with flowing hair symbolizing liberty. The coin was larger and made of pure copper, while today’s smaller coin is made of copper and zinc.
