I know pennies are now made of a mix of different medals, because copper is too expensive, but when did they stop using 100% copper?
The last year for US cents made of copper was 1857, and the coins were much larger. Google US large cent for information. Due to the increase in the price of copper, the Mint changed to an alloy of copper and tin---bronze. Bronze cents were issued until copper shortages appeared during World War II. In 1943/44, pennies were made of steel. Some people called the steelies but when I was a kid they were known erroneously as lead pennies. After the war, coinage in bronze resumed, to be followed by copper-clad and copper-plated versions.
This Site Might Help You. RE: What was the last year that pennies were made entirely of copper? I know pennies are now made of a mix of different medals, because copper is too expensive, but when did they stop using 100% copper?
1982 was the last year for copper pennies. And the first year for the zinc pennies. They made both types that year, and the only way to tell them apart is by weight -- the zinc pennies are lighter. Answer 100% copper pennies were last minted by the US in 1857. These were large cents, about the size of the golden dollar coins. The Flying Eagle and Indian Cents from 1856 to 1864 were 88% copper and 12% nickel. Beginning in 1864 Indian Cents, and later Lincoln Cents, were minted in 95% copper and 5% tin, technically this is bronze.
