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 Replies: 10 / Views: 12,568 |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
I saw a story on Nightline recently, and it talked about how the Lincoln Cent might be discontinued as currency one day. They mentioned that pre-1982 pennies are 95% copper, whereas post-82 pennies are mostly zinc. So, is it a good idea for me to save all pre-1982 pennies, in case we are allowed to melt them down someday? I know some 82 pennies were 95% copper and some were zinc, and since I don't have a copper sorting machine, shouldn't it be wise to just save all pre-1981 pennies? I have several bags full already having sorted, and most are from about 1958-1981. Would the copper in these be worth something someday? Thanks! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2651 Posts |
Depends on you....I save all of them...and alot of people on here do also... There is a easy way to see if a 1982 Cent is zinc or copper...buy a $16 dollar scale off of ebay. Zinc weights 2.5 grams and Copper weights 3.11 gram... Or you can do it like I do....the flip test. Get a known copper cent (1981 or older) and flip it...it will ring for a long time...now flip a coin 1983 or newer...it will ring for a split second then stop...Be sure you give it a good flip with your thumb... Let me know if it works for you... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2651 Posts |
and one more important thing....  Happy Hunting! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
597 Posts |
just remember cents take up alot of room to save unlike silver coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1406 Posts |
Quote:
Should I save all my pre-1981/82 Pennies? No. we'll save them for you  |
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Valued Member
United States
275 Posts |
...or I'll trade you for them :o)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
I save all mine if the time come I have to.many I would.try to sell them
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Valued Member
United States
78 Posts |
I save all mine from roll hunting...worst case, I return them to the bank someday for the price I paid.
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Valued Member
United States
126 Posts |
I save them but don't look for them specifically. Rarely search penny rolls but now have about 30 pounds in pre-82 pennies and 5 pounds of copper 82 pennies. At the very least it makes me feel like I've accomplished something when I add one to the bucket.
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Valued Member
United States
275 Posts |
Crazy one day , you won't see any coppers in change. It's already getting ridiculous and saving old pennies is an epidemic multplying across the country, especially being rough times and the fact that LMC are now old production. Maybe someday somebody in my family will get a ton of copper cents. If they are anything like wheat cents are today,it'll be a one heck of a story. |
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Valued Member
United States
67 Posts |
I was wondering the same thing. I have some wheat pennies - the oldest is 1941. I always save those and had just heard about saving pre-1982 pennies. Just to clarify in 1982 the pennies could have been made from copper or zinc, so you need to weigh them to determine which ones to save?
I don't have a lot of either, but I'm not sure I would ever sell the wheat pennies. I like them and once they are gone, they are gone. :)
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Replies: 10 / Views: 12,568 |
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Posted 01/17/2012 6:13 pm
