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Question:

is an american penny made of copper?

my science teacher said i may have found real gold so i have to find copper to scratch a lil gold off if i am able to then its real...so i need to look for something made of copper

Answer:

In 1793 to 1837 a US penny was 100% copper. 1837–1857 bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 1857–1864 87.5% copper, 12.5% nickel (also known as NS-12) 1864–1942 bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 1943 - - - - - - - - zinc-coated steel 1944–1946 brass (95% copper, 5% zinc) 1946–1962 bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) 1962–1982 brass (95% copper, 5% zinc) 1982– present 97.5% zinc core, 2.5% copper plating The copper scratch gold test bit is not very definitive, copper will scratch another copper. Most,if not all fake gold is made with copper. To find out if it is made of gold, touch it with a glass stopper which has been wetted with nitric acid. If it is pure gold nothing will happen; if not, the solution will become blue from the formation of nitrate of copper. Or ask any good jeweler.
The 1943S(metallic) is well worth between .40 and a million.00, in accordance with problem. attributable to a scarcity of copper for the time of the severe conflict (WWII) 300 and sixty 5 days of 1943, the Treasury Dept. resorted to using zinc-lined metallic for cents. Copper become used for bullets, wiring, etc for the conflict attempt. you have the start to a great coin series, have exciting and solid good fortune.

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