What can you do with pre 1982 pennies?

Nothing stops you from offering pre-1982 pennies for sale at their melt value. You may even find some buyers who are willing to pay that for “unsearched” coins. However, you are prohibited from actually melting them or transferring them in bulk overseas.

Are pre-1982 pennies worth anything?

So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years. So a penny produced before 1982 is worth 2.2 cents based on the metal it contains.

What can I do with old pennies?

You may not like what you're about to learn: pennies are still legal tender. That means you can still use them at stores, and you can still deposit them at the bank.

What is the melt value of pre-1982 pennies?

$0.0252901 is the melt value for the 1909-1982 copper cent on January 06, 2023. ← Calculate the value of your own coins.

Are 1982 pennies worth saving?

Today, you'll find a 1982 penny value with no mint mark for $0.50. The value could be higher if it's in good condition. However, you can also get a 1982 penny for about 1¢ to $4 — this value is for the circulated version. The uncirculated 1982 pennies go for a much higher price.

I Purchased 34 Pounds of Pre-1982 Pennies -- For My Stack !!!

Which pennies should I keep?

Why is a 1982 D penny rare?

The Mint switched over from striking copper-alloy to copper-plated zinc planchets sometime in mid-1982 as a cost saving measure – the copper-alloy planchets were too expensive to strike and the Mint was losing money.

How much is a pre-1982 copper penny worth?

The metal inside is worth about one cent. But before 1982, they were mostly copper. WARDAK: Nineteen eighty-two and prior, they were 90 percent copper and they're worth about two cents, maybe a little more depending on the price of copper.

Should I keep copper pennies?

Why should I save Copper Alloy cents/pennies? Some 1982 and all prior years are made with 95% copper. With copper at historic high prices, each of these coins are worth much more in actual metal content, than their face value.

Are all pre-1982 pennies copper?

If your Lincoln Memorial penny has a date before 1982, it is made of 95% copper. If the date is 1983 or later, it is made of 97.5% zinc and plated with a thin copper coating. For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them.

Can you sell old pennies for money?

The obvious place to sell your old coins is your local coin shop. They will be your best bet for selling low- to mid-range old coins like Wheat cents, Buffalo nickels, junk silver, and scarce silver coins and silver dollars. Check online reviews and feedback for coin stores in your area, and choose a couple to visit.

Is there a market for old pennies?

In general, all Indian Head Pennies are worth at least $1 each, even in very worn condition, as long as they're not severely damaged. Be on the lookout for 1877 and 1909-S Indian head pennies. They are most valuable in any condition and are highly sought after by coin collectors.

Are pennies worth scrapping?

Each 1¢ penny is worth approximately 2.3860¢ in scrap metal.

2021.

How many pre-1982 pennies does it take to make a pound?

You need roughly 155 of the pre-1982 coins to make a pound of copper.

What year of pennies are worth keeping?

Watch for low mintage years like 1955-S, 1939-D, 1933-D, and 1931-S. Depending on condition, rarer pennies are worth more. Look for all-copper pennies. Old pennies made before 1982 are 95% copper, which gives them an inherent metal value.

What is the difference between a post-1982 penny and a pre-1982 penny?

Pre-1982 pennies contain a much greater percentage of copper. Post-1982 pennies are mostly zinc.

What is the best thing to do with copper pennies?

So, your best option is to keep those copper pennies until they get rid of the penny, and sell them then. It will be a nice way to make so money! It might seem not worth it now, but in 2026 you will smile upon the day you started to save copper pennies!

What year copper penny is worth the most?

The Most Expensive Penny

The first 1943 copper cent was sold in 1958 for more than $40,000. In 1996, another went for a whopping $82,500. But those sales pale in comparison with the latest: this week, a dealer in New Jersey sold his 1943 penny for a staggering $1.7 million.

Should I clean my wheat pennies?

According to coin experts, cleaning any potentially collectible coins might cause them to lose value. Using chemical cleaners or scrubbing the coins could leave scratches and marks that will be easy for a skilled appraiser to pick up on.

How much is a zinc 1982 penny?

You'll pay around 0.30 USD for the 1982 “D” zinc penny with a big date. The 1982 “D” zinc penny with a small date and an MS of at least 60 costs around 0.20 USD. Remember, the price is low because these coins are common.

Can I melt down pennies and sell the copper?

It is not illegal to melt, form, destroy, or otherwise modify US coins, including pennies, unless the objective is fraudulent or with the intent of selling the raw materials of the coins for profit. Projects that use coins as materials are entirely legal in the United States.

What is a 1982 D error penny?

It's the 1982-D "small date" Lincoln Memorial cent made from copper. There wasn't supposed to be any "small date" bronze Lincoln cents struck in Denver in 1982. Leftover copper planchets struck with the new "Small Date" dies meant for zinc coins caused this error coin rarity.

What is the most valuable 1982 D penny?

Why is a 1983 D penny worth so much?

According to CNBC's Make It, the US made 7.7 billion pennies in 1983, but only about 5,000 are known to have this doubling error — making them valuable to those who find one in their possession.

How rare is a 1982 small date copper penny?

The 1982-P Small Date copper Lincoln cent is one of the most difficult memorial cents to find in high grade condition. They are scarce even in MS64 and MS65 grades. It is one of the most difficult varieties to find in high grade out of all seven different varieties of this date.