These Pennies How You Know If Bronze?

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 521
Trebest70 Valued Member United States 67 Posts	Posted 08/04/2025 11:48 am Report this Post to the Staff

Spence Moderator United States 34397 Posts	Posted 08/04/2025 12:00 pm Looks like you have some interesting surface staining on some of these cents. How about specific gravity as a nice non-destructive way to determine alloy? "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188154 Posts	Posted 08/04/2025 2:41 pm They are 95% copper at least. Bronze or brass depends on that remaining 5% being tin or zinc. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
JimmyD Bedrock of the Community Canada 21601 Posts	Posted 08/04/2025 2:53 pm There is no way of telling if they are bronze or not by the colour. Copper can change to many different colours depending on the environment. Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10514 Posts	Posted 08/04/2025 5:58 pm Bronze is copper with about 12% tin - not sure if older Lincoln cents are going to have that much in them to actually be real bronze. Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 95517 Posts	Posted 08/04/2025 9:53 pm with above on metal content. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 25102 Posts	Posted 08/04/2025 10:22 pm Quote: Bronze is copper with about 12% tin Although US cents (1864 - 1982 except 1943) were 95% copper, they are described as "bronze". Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10514 Posts	Posted 08/04/2025 10:38 pm Quote: Although US cents (1864 - 1982 except 1943) were 95% copper, they are described as "bronze". Correct - actually the term "Bronze Composite" came about when the Indian cents changed from 88% Copper and 12% Nicklel to the 95%Copper and 5%tin/zinc in 1864. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188154 Posts	Posted 08/05/2025 09:40 am Quote: Although US cents (1864 - 1982 except 1943) were 95% copper, they are described as "bronze". Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
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