Posted 05/21/2012 4:31 pm
I've wondered that as well. I work in a brass / bronze foundry and having seen the process up close I can't see how you would make any money on a small scale.
You would need a silica-carbide crucible that costs several hundred dollars plus a heat source capable of generating 2000 degrees F. We burn natural gas and a ferocious rate but of course we also pay a discounted rate compared to a retail customer. Even if you did manage to melt the pennies you still only have 95% copper not the 99.9% you would need to sell bullion bars.
You would need a silica-carbide crucible that costs several hundred dollars plus a heat source capable of generating 2000 degrees F. We burn natural gas and a ferocious rate but of course we also pay a discounted rate compared to a retail customer. Even if you did manage to melt the pennies you still only have 95% copper not the 99.9% you would need to sell bullion bars.
