89 18561864 88% copper, 12% nickel (likewise understood as NS-12) 72 grains 4. 67 18641942 bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 48 grains 3. 11 1943 zinc-coated steel (likewise called 1943 steel cent) 42 grains 2. 72 19441946 gilding metal (95% copper, 5% zinc) 48 grains 3. 11 19471962 bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 48 grains 3.
11 October 1982 present copper-plated zinc (97. 5% zinc, 2. 5% copper) 38. 6 grains 2. 5 The isotope composition of early coins spanning the duration 1828 to 1843 reflects the copper from Cornish ores from England, while coins after 1850 reflect the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan ores, a finding constant with historical records.
A few copper cents from 1943 were produced from 1942 planchets staying in the bins. Similarly, some 1944 steel cents have been verified. From 1944 to 1946, salvaged ammo shells made their way into the minting procedure, and it was not uncommon to see coins including streaks of brass or having a considerably darker surface than other issues.
This led the Mint to test alternative metals, consisting of aluminum and bronze-clad steel. Aluminum was selected, and over 1. 5 million samples of the 1974 aluminum cent were struck before ultimately being rejected. The cent's composition was altered in 1982 since the value of the copper in the coin began to increase above one cent.
5% zinc structure, while others utilized the 95% copper structure. With the exception of 2009 bicentennial cents minted particularly for collectors, United States cents minted after 1982 have actually been zinc with copper plating. The bronze and copper cents can be identified from the newer zinc cents by dropping the coins on a solid surface area.
In addition, a complete 50-cent roll of pre-1982/ 3 coins weighs 5. 4 oz (150 g) compared to a post-198283 roll which weighs 4. 4 oz (120 g). Styles [edit] The coin has actually gone through a number of styles over its two-hundred-year time frame. Till 1857 it was about the size of the present U.S.