How to tell if a penny is copper? Have you ever wondered what metal pennies are made of or questioned if that old penny you found in your change jar is solid copper? If so, you’re not alone. Many people want to know how to identify a true copper penny to determine if it has any collectible value or to sell the metal for scrap.
Lucky for you, this guide will reveal everything you need to know about spotting copper pennies, including some quick giveaways to check for when you’re in a rush.
With this guide, you’ll have mastered multiple methods for accurately testing pennies to tell if they contain the valuable copper composition or not. With clear descriptions, detailed photos, and step-by-step instructions provided, identifying copper content in pennies will finally be straightforward.
Quick Checks for Identifying Copper Cents
Look For The Wheat Ears Reverse Design
One of the quickest ways to spot a copper penny is to look at the reverse (tails) design. Copper cents made from 1909-1958 feature a wheat stalk design on the back rather than the Lincoln Memorial design found on newer zinc pennies.
If your penny has wheat ears on the back, there’s a good chance it’s made from 95-98% copper.
Check The Penny’s Date
You can also identify copper pennies based on their minting date:
- Indian Head Pennies (1859-1909) – 100% copper
- Lincoln Wheat Pennies (1909-1982) – 95% copper (except 1943 steel cents)
- Lincoln Memorial Pennies (1959-1982) – 95% copper
So any penny dated 1959-1982 will be made of copper no matter if it has wheat ears or the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. Pennies made after 1982 contain zinc with only copper plating.
Compare Color To Zinc And Copper Pennies
There’s also a noticeable difference in color between copper and zinc cents:
| Copper Penny | Zinc Penny | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Reddish, bronze tone | Greyish silver tone |
This color difference is because copper oxidizes over time, while zinc pennies maintain their silver appearance. So a penny with a distinctly reddish-brown color likely contains a high copper content compared to a grey-colored zinc penny.
You can compare suspect pennies to a known copper penny to check for similar coloring.
Following these quick checks for wheat ear designs, minting date, and color comparison allows you to easily spot copper cents for collecting or cashing in at scrap metal recycling centers. With copper currently priced at around $4.50/lb, your old copper pennies could surprisingly be worth more than face value if you have enough of them!
Conduct at-home Tests to Reveal Copper Composition
The Magnet Test for Copper Pennies
One straightforward approach for checking if a penny contains copper is the magnet test. Simply take a magnet and see if it sticks to the penny. If the magnet sticks, the penny likely has a high iron content and little copper.
However, if the magnet does not stick, there is a good chance the penny has notable copper content.
This test works because copper is non-magnetic, while metals like steel and iron are highly magnetic. So a strong reaction between the magnet and the penny implies an iron-dominant composition. The key exceptions would be zinc and aluminum pennies, which are also non-magnetic despite having no copper.
Using Vinegar to Detect Copper Content
Vinegar can be an excellent copper indicator for pennies. The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with copper to produce a greenish-blue solution. Here is a simple process to try:
- Get a cup and fill it with plain white vinegar
- Drop 5-10 pennies into the vinegar and let sit for 2-3 hours
- Check the color of vinegar – light blue-green hue indicates dissolved copper
- Pennies with a copper coating may show just a slight color change
- Solid copper pennies will turn the vinegar bright blue-green
This vinegar test takes advantage of copper’s reactivity to acids. As the acetic acid contacts and reacts with the copper surface, it forms the characteristic blue-green copper acetate compound. So a vibrant color change signals a strong copper presence.
Testing Weight to Determine Metal Composition
Examining a penny’s weight can provide clues about its metallic makeup. Here is a comparison of weights across penny types:
| Penny Type | Standard Weight |
| Modern zinc pennies | 2.5 grams |
| Modern copper-plated pennies | 2.5 grams |
| Solid copper pennies (pre-1982) | 3.11 grams |
As shown, the main giveaway is that solid copper pennies weigh notably more than zinc or copper-coated ones. This ties to copper’s higher density compared to zinc. So weighing an older penny on a precision scale can confirm if it is heavy enough to contain a pure copper core.
Additionally, worn-down copper pennies may start lighter than 3.11 grams due to copper leaching over decades of circulation. But they still weigh markedly more than lightweight zinc pennies.
Professional Methods For Accurately Detecting Copper
Using an XRF Analyzer on Pennies
An XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyzer is a professional device that can accurately detect the metal composition of coins through non-destructive testing. It works by exciting the atom in the metal with X-rays to emit secondary fluorescent X-rays that serve as the characteristic fingerprint for each element present.
They are commonly used by coin experts, dealers, and numismatic authentication companies to test coin composition and grade coins.
XRF analyzers cost anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 but are the most reliable way to determine if your penny contains copper. For 70% copper pennies minted before 1983, an XRF will detect copper content between 70-72%, while post-1982 zinc pennies contain no copper or less than 1%.
You can mail off your penny to grading companies like NGC or PCGS who offer XRF testing on each coin as part of the full grading process. Prices start under $10 for single coin analysis.
Having Pennies Professionally Graded
The most authoritative and accurate way to authenticate and determine the grade of your penny’s condition is by having it professionally graded by a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. They will evaluate the penny based on strict numismatic standards for physical condition, strike, eye appeal, and identify any defects.
As part of the grading process, they also conduct XRF testing to determine the penny’s metal composition and confirm dates.
When a penny receives a passing grade from these authorities in the field, the assessment includes a certification label and tamper-evident holder to preserve and protect the coin. Fees start from only a few dollars per coin.
The process not only determines if it’s copper or zinc but also provides an estimation of the penny’s current collector market value.
| Grading Service | Grading Price per Coin |
|---|---|
| PCGS | $10 |
| NGC | $5 for a bulk submission of at least 5 coins |
Having your questionable pennies authenticated and graded, while more expensive, gives you an authoritative assessment of composition and condition from the most trusted leaders in professional numismatics. Their evaluations vastly minimize the risk of receiving inaccurate information on your coins.
How To Tell If A Penny Is a Copper – Conclusion
Now that you’re armed with numerous techniques for assessing if pennies contain copper or not, identifying valuable cents should be a painless process.
With quick checks like examining dates and reverse designs taking only seconds and household tests using magnets, vinegar, and weights just minutes longer, telltale signs of copper content are easy to spot.
When 100% certainty is needed, professional methods like XRF scanners and coin grading services can accurately verify copper composition. So whether you have one penny or hundreds you want to inspect for copper, this guide makes the entire process straightforward.
