31 CFR § 82 prohibits melting US one-cent and five-cent coins. Mass export of cents is limited to $5 per traveler except for travel or numismatic purposes. Penalties reach up to $10,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment per violation. The melt value of pre-1982 bronze cents (95% Cu) frequently exceeds face value, but melting them is a federal crime regardless. The melt calculator on this page is an informational reference only.
Verify: 31 CFR § 82
Modern pennies (1982–2025) are 97.5% zinc with a thin copper plate. Pre-1982 pennies are 95% copper bronze. The 1943 cent is zinc-plated steel — the only US penny that sticks to a magnet. Circulating production ended November 12, 2025.
Pennies made after mid-1982 are 97.5% zinc / 2.5% copper; pennies made before 1982 are 95% copper bronze; and the 1943 cent is zinc-plated steel — each composition carries a different melt value calculated from its actual metal content times the current spot price.
The US cent has used three distinct base compositions since 1864. The bronze cent (95% Cu / 5% Zn, 3.110 g) was standard from 1864 through early 1982. Mid-1982, the Mint switched to a copper-plated zinc core (97.5% Zn / 2.5% Cu, 2.500 g), which remained the circulating cent through November 12, 2025. The 1943 wartime cent is zinc-plated steel (2.700 g) and magnetic. Melt value equals the coin's actual copper or zinc weight in grams multiplied by the current spot price per gram. Federal law prohibits melting US cents.
The table below covers every major cent composition from the large copper cents through the 2026 commemorative issue. Use the weight column as your fastest field diagnostic: a cent weighing 3.1 g is bronze; one weighing 2.5 g is zinc; one weighing 2.7 g and sticking to a magnet is the 1943 steel cent. The 1982 transition year produced both compositions — see the dedicated section below.
| Years | Composition | Weight | Metal content | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1793–1857 | Pure copper | 10.89 g (post-1837 standard) | ~10.89 g Cu (reduced from 13.48 g after 1837) | Large cent, ~27–29 mm diameter; non-magnetic. |
| 1856–1864 | 88% Cu / 12% Ni | 4.667 g | 4.11 g Cu / 0.56 g Ni | Flying Eagle (1856–1858) and early Indian Head cents; tan color, 19 mm diameter. |
| 1864–1909 | 95% Cu / 5% Zn-Sn (bronze) | 3.110 g | 2.9545 g Cu | Indian Head bronze cent; 1864 is the transition year from nickel alloy. |
| 1909–1942 | 95% Cu / 5% Zn-Sn (bronze) | 3.110 g | 2.9545 g Cu | Lincoln Wheat cent; VDB initials removed mid-1909, restored 1918. |
| 1943 | Zinc-plated steel (MAGNETIC) | 2.700 g | 2.700 g steel | Only magnetic US cent; wartime copper conservation; approximately 1.1 billion struck. |
| 1944–1946 | 95% Cu / 5% Zn (shell case brass, no tin) | 3.110 g | 2.9545 g Cu | Recycled from spent WWII ammunition shell casings; visually identical to standard bronze. |
| 1947–1962 | 95% Cu / 5% Zn (bronze) | 3.110 g | 2.9545 g Cu | Standard Lincoln Wheat (through 1958) then Lincoln Memorial bronze cents. |
| 1963–1981 | 95% Cu / 5% Zn (bronze) | 3.110 g | 2.9545 g Cu | Lincoln Memorial reverse; Frank Gasparro design introduced 1959. |
| 1982 (early) | 95% Cu / 5% Zn (bronze) | 3.110 g | 2.9545 g Cu | Transition year — bronze struck at both mints early in the year; eight total varieties exist. |
| 1982 (late)–2025 | 97.5% Zn / 2.5% Cu (copper-plated zinc) | 2.500 g | 2.4375 g Zn / 0.0625 g Cu | Copper price spike forced mid-year switch; circulating production ceased November 12, 2025. |
| 2026 (collectible only) | 97.5% Zn / 2.5% Cu (copper-plated zinc) | 2.500 g | 2.4375 g Zn / 0.0625 g Cu | Dual-date '1776 ~ 2026' semiquincentennial; issued via annual Mint sets only — not circulating. |
Four field tests cover nearly every cent identification scenario. First, the magnet test: hold any cent to a magnet — only the 1943 steel cent adheres. Second, the date test: 1943 steel cents, pre-1982 bronze, and post-1982 zinc each fall in distinct date windows. Third, the weight test: a 0.01 g scale distinguishes bronze (3.110 g ±0.10) from zinc (2.500 g ±0.10) — essential for sorting the 1982 transition year. Fourth, the edge test: all US cents have a plain (smooth) edge, so edge reeding is not useful here. The ring test (drop on a hard surface) can help experienced handlers distinguish the flatter acoustic signature of zinc from the slightly brighter ring of bronze, but weight is more reliable.
The calculator below computes the metal melt value of US cents using real-time copper spot prices. Enter a quantity of coins, a roll count, a face-value amount, or a weight in pounds. Select the cent type (bronze pre-1982 or zinc post-1982). The result reflects the gross metal value — not a transaction price. Federal law prohibits melting US cents; see 31 CFR § 82 above.
Melt value (per coin) = ACW (g) × spot ($/g)
For the bronze cent (1864–early 1982), the actual copper weight (ACW) is 2.9545 g, derived from the coin's 3.110 g total weight multiplied by 95% copper content. The remaining 5% is zinc with negligible market value at this scale. The melt value per coin equals 2.9545 g times the current copper spot price in dollars per gram. Copper spot is quoted in US dollars per pound on commodity markets; the calculator divides by 453.592 to convert to per-gram pricing.
For the zinc cent (mid-1982–2025), the actual zinc weight is 2.4375 g (97.5% of 2.500 g). The copper plating adds approximately 0.0625 g of copper. Both metals contribute to the theoretical melt value, though at typical commodity prices the copper plating adds a fractional cent. The dominant value driver for modern zinc cents is the zinc content — but at zinc's historical price range, the melt value of a post-1982 cent typically falls well below face value.
The 1943 steel cent has no precious or significant base-metal melt value for practical purposes. Steel is valued at scrap rates far below the coin's face value, and the coin's numismatic value as a collectible vastly exceeds any theoretical scrap figure. The calculator assigns $0 ACW to the steel cent.
Spot prices are sourced from the coins-value.com spot data feed, updated three times per weekday and once per weekend. The calculator substitutes the live copper price at page-render time using the $6.37 placeholder. The per-coin melt value displayed is $0.0415. These values are reference figures only. Dealer buy prices for raw copper content coins run at a discount to spot — typically 50–80% of gross melt value for pre-1982 bronze cents in unsorted bulk.
Three production eras broke from the standard bronze or zinc cent spec: the 1943 wartime steel cent, the 1944–1946 shell-case brass cents, and the 1982 dual-composition transition year. Each affects melt-value calculations and identification.
Composition: Zinc-plated steel — magnetic
Weight: 2.700 g (vs 3.110 g bronze standard)
How to spot: The only US cent that adheres to a magnet — the magnet test definitively identifies it.
Copper was diverted to ammunition production during World War II. The Mint substituted zinc-plated steel planchets for 1943, striking approximately 1.1 billion across Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The steel surface is prone to rust. A handful of 1943 bronze error cents — struck on leftover 1942 bronze planchets — exist; genuine examples are non-magnetic, weigh 3.11 g, and carry values from $100,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on grade and mint. Counterfeits (copper-plated steel) are common.
Composition: 95% Cu / 5% Zn — recycled from spent WWII ammunition shell casings; no tin
Weight: 3.110 g (same as standard bronze)
How to spot: Visually and by weight identical to standard bronze; the absence of tin in the alloy is only detectable via laboratory assay.
After the steel-cent year of 1943, the Mint returned to copper but sourced it from reclaimed spent cartridge brass. The 95% Cu / 5% Zn ratio matches the standard bronze formula, and the weight is 3.110 g — identical. For melt-value purposes these coins are treated the same as any other bronze cent. The melt value equals 2.9545 g Cu times the copper spot price per gram, and the 31 CFR § 82 melting prohibition applies equally.
Composition: Both 95% Cu / 5% Zn (bronze, 3.110 g) and 97.5% Zn / 2.5% Cu (zinc, 2.500 g) produced — same calendar year
Weight: 3.110 g (bronze) or 2.500 g (zinc) — 0.610 g difference
How to spot: Weigh on a 0.01 g scale: 3.11 g = bronze; 2.50 g = zinc; visual date-size inspection (Large vs Small Date) narrows variety further.
A copper price spike in the early 1980s made the bronze cent cost more than a cent to produce. The Mint transitioned mid-year, creating eight distinct varieties across two mints and two date-punch sizes. The 1982-D Small Date bronze variety is the key find — fewer than five confirmed examples exist, with auction results above $10,000. Any 1982-D cent that weighs 3.110 g and shows Small Date characteristics deserves professional authentication before disposal.
Rising copper prices in the early 1980s pushed the metal cost of a bronze cent above its face value. The US Mint responded by switching to a copper-plated zinc core mid-1982 — but because both Philadelphia and Denver continued striking cents throughout the year, and because two different date size punches (Large Date and Small Date) were in use at each facility, the year produced eight distinct varieties from two compositions.
The fastest diagnostic is a precision scale. Bronze 1982 cents weigh 3.110 g (±0.100 g); zinc 1982 cents weigh 2.500 g (±0.100 g). The gap between the two — 0.610 g — is large enough that a consumer-grade 0.01 g postal or gem scale resolves them reliably. Visual inspection of the date size (Large Date has a taller, more open '2' compared to the Small Date's slimmer profile) is secondary.
Among the eight varieties, the 1982-D Small Date bronze cent stands apart. Fewer than five confirmed examples exist, making it extraordinarily rare among Lincoln cents struck for circulation. Confirmed examples have sold at auction for $10,000 and above. Any 1982-D cent that weighs 3.110 g and shows a Small Date warrants professional authentication before it is spent, sold, or submitted to a dealer.
| Variety | Composition | Weight | Diagnostic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 Large Date bronze | 95% Cu / 5% Zn | 3.110 g | Philadelphia, no mint mark; Large Date style; common |
| 1982 Small Date bronze | 95% Cu / 5% Zn | 3.110 g | Philadelphia, no mint mark; Small Date style; scarce |
| 1982 Large Date zinc | 97.5% Zn / 2.5% Cu | 2.500 g | Philadelphia, no mint mark; Large Date style; common |
| 1982 Small Date zinc | 97.5% Zn / 2.5% Cu | 2.500 g | Philadelphia, no mint mark; Small Date style; most plentiful |
| 1982-D Large Date bronze | 95% Cu / 5% Zn | 3.110 g | Denver 'D' mint mark; Large Date style; common |
| 1982-D Small Date bronze | 95% Cu / 5% Zn | 3.110 g | Denver 'D' mint mark; Small Date style; extraordinarily rare — fewer than 5 confirmed |
| 1982-D Large Date zinc | 97.5% Zn / 2.5% Cu | 2.500 g | Denver 'D' mint mark; Large Date style; common |
| 1982-D Small Date zinc | 97.5% Zn / 2.5% Cu | 2.500 g | Denver 'D' mint mark; Small Date style; common |
The Philadelphia Mint struck the final circulating Lincoln cent on November 12, 2025, in a ceremonial event marking the end of routine cent production for general commerce. The decision followed years of seigniorage losses: per the 2024 US Mint Annual Report, each cent cost approximately 3.7 cents to produce, generating a 2.7-cent loss per coin struck. Cumulative seigniorage losses from the cent exceeded $1 billion across recent years. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond analyzed rounding effects on retail transactions and concluded the macroeconomic impact of eliminating circulating cent production is minimal.
The cessation does not change the cent's legal-tender status. Pennies struck from 1909 through 2025 remain fully spendable at face value. Banks continue to accept and dispense cents from existing stock until depletion. A 2026 commemorative cent carrying the dual date '1776 ~ 2026' is issued through the annual Mint sets program only — it is a collectible, not a circulating coin.
For melt-value purposes, the cessation changes nothing legally. The 31 CFR § 82 melting prohibition remains fully in effect regardless of whether the Mint is actively striking new cents. Pre-1982 bronze cents (95% Cu) still carry a copper melt value that can exceed face value at elevated copper spot prices — but melting them is still a federal crime. The collector market for uncirculated zinc cents from the final 2025 production run may develop a modest premium over time, but their base-metal melt value ($0.002–0.005 per coin at typical zinc prices) remains well below face value.
| cessation date | November 12, 2025 |
|---|---|
| legal tender status | Cent remains legal tender; 2026 collectible cents in annual Mint sets only |
| circulation status | Circulating production ceased; existing pennies still spend at face value |
| melt legality | 31 CFR § 82 melting prohibition still applies |
Pre-1982 bronze cents with meaningful copper melt content are bought by local coin shops, online precious-metals dealers, and auction platforms. The venue determines how close to spot you'll receive.
| Venue | Typical payout | Friction |
|---|---|---|
| Local coin shop (LCS) | 50–80% of gross copper melt value for unsorted bulk bronze cents | Low — same-day cash, no shipping risk; price varies by shop and volume |
| Online precious-metals dealer (bulk lot) | 60–80% of gross melt value for large sorted lots (5 lbs+) | Medium — shipping cost and risk; requires sorting by pre/post-1982 |
| eBay / collector marketplace | Closer to 90–100% of melt for visually appealing or sorted rolls | High — listing time, fees (~13%), packing, payment float |
Dealers who buy base-metal coins for copper content apply a discount to the gross melt value that reflects refining cost, the dealer's own margin, and the volatility of copper spot between purchase and liquidation. For unsorted bulk lots of pre-1982 cents the realistic range is 50–80% of calculated melt value. Sorted, verified rolls command a narrower discount. Cents with numismatic value (key dates, error coins, uncirculated grades) should be evaluated on collector-market pricing rather than melt, and any coin showing potential rarity — particularly 1982-D Small Date bronze specimens — warrants professional authentication before sale.
When a dealer quotes a buy price on pre-1982 bronze cents as bulk copper, the offer reflects three layered costs working against the spot-price melt figure. First, refining and transport: the dealer cannot sell raw cents to a copper refinery at spot — the refinery charges a processing fee, and the dealer must absorb shipping. Second, sorting labor: mixed cent lots include post-1982 zinc cents that dilute the copper content. A dealer pricing unsorted lots discounts for the sorting work required. Third, market-exposure risk: from the moment the dealer buys to the moment the copper is liquidated, the spot price can fall.
These costs combine to produce buy-side offers in the 50–80% of gross melt value range for typical unsorted pre-1982 cent lots. A collector who pre-sorts by date (removing all post-1982 zinc cents) and presents a well-organized, large-volume lot narrows that discount toward the upper end of the range. A small, unsorted jar of mixed cents will attract the lower end.
The spread is not the same as a dealer being dishonest — it is the friction of converting a non-standard raw material (US cents) into refined copper. Sellers who want closer to full melt value must either find a direct industrial buyer willing to certify composition, or hold until spot price rises sufficiently that even a discounted offer meets their target. The 31 CFR § 82 prohibition means there is no legal path to converting the copper yourself, which further concentrates market power with licensed industrial processors.
Pennies made from mid-1982 through 2025 are 97.5% zinc with a thin copper electroplate, weighing 2.500 g. Pennies made from 1864 through early 1982 are 95% copper bronze, weighing 3.110 g. The 1943 cent is zinc-plated steel, weighing 2.700 g and magnetic. Large copper cents struck before 1857 were pure copper at roughly 10.89 g. The flying Eagle and early Indian Head cents (1856–1864) used an 88% copper / 12% nickel alloy.
Modern pennies (mid-1982 to 2025) are 97.5% zinc — not copper — with only a thin copper surface plating. Older pennies struck from 1864 through early 1982 are 95% copper bronze. The common phrase 'copper penny' refers to those pre-1982 coins. The 1943 cent is zinc-plated steel with no significant copper content. Despite the name, the Lincoln cent has been a zinc coin for more than four decades.
Yes. 31 CFR § 82, promulgated by the Treasury Department, prohibits melting US one-cent and five-cent coins. Mass export of cents is capped at $5 per traveler without specific Treasury authorization. Violations carry penalties of up to a $10,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment per violation, plus forfeiture of the metal. This prohibition applies equally to bronze and zinc cents, and remains in effect even after the November 2025 cessation of circulating cent production.
Copper was a critical wartime material needed for ammunition cartridge cases and shell casings during World War II. The US Mint substituted zinc-plated steel planchets in 1943, striking approximately 1.1 billion steel cents across the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco facilities. Production reverted to copper-based alloy in 1944, using reclaimed brass from spent ammunition cases.
The zinc cent (mid-1982 through 2025) weighs 2.500 g. The bronze cent (1864 through early 1982) weighs 3.110 g. The 1943 steel cent weighs 2.700 g. Weight is the fastest diagnostic for the 1982 transition year — a 0.01 g scale distinguishes the 3.110 g bronze variety from the 2.500 g zinc variety reliably. The mint weight tolerance for the zinc cent is ±0.100 g.
The cent transitioned from 95% copper bronze to copper-plated zinc during 1982. Both compositions were struck at Philadelphia and Denver that year, producing eight distinct varieties. After 1982, all circulating cents were 97.5% zinc with a copper surface plating — not bronze. The copper content by weight dropped from 2.9545 g per coin (bronze) to approximately 0.0625 g per coin (zinc plating only).
Circulating cent production ended November 12, 2025, with the final ceremonial strike at the Philadelphia Mint. 2026 cents exist only in annual Mint sets as collectibles, carrying the dual date '1776 ~ 2026' for the US semiquincentennial. The cent remains legal tender — existing pennies from 1909 through 2025 still spend at face value. Banks continue to accept and dispense cents from existing stock.
Each cent cost approximately 3.7 cents to produce in 2024 per the US Mint Annual Report, generating a 2.7-cent seigniorage loss per coin. Cumulative losses exceeded $1 billion across recent years. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond analyzed rounding effects on retail transactions and concluded the macroeconomic impact of eliminating circulating cent production is minimal. Circulating production ceased November 12, 2025.
A genuine 1943 bronze cent — struck accidentally on a leftover 1942 bronze planchet — is worth $100,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on grade and mint. Fewer than 20 confirmed examples exist across all three mints. Most claimed '1943 copper pennies' are counterfeits: copper-plated 1943 steel cents (they stick to a magnet — genuine bronze does not) or altered-date 1948 or 1945 bronze cents (look for tool marks at the top of the '3' under a 10× loupe). PCGS authentication is essential.
The magnet test is definitive: hold the cent to any magnet. If it adheres, it is the common zinc-plated steel cent worth a few cents in collector value. If it does not adhere, weigh it — genuine 1943 bronze weighs 3.110 g; steel weighs 2.700 g. Inspect the date under a 10× loupe: altered 1948 or 1945 dates sometimes used to fake a 1943 bronze show tool marks at the top of the '3'. Any non-magnetic 1943 cent warrants professional authentication by PCGS or NGC.
The melt value of a bronze cent equals 2.9545 g (the actual copper weight at 95% of 3.110 g) multiplied by the current copper spot price per gram. At typical copper spot prices, this produces a melt value that can exceed the coin's 1-cent face value. However, 31 CFR § 82 prohibits melting US cents, so the melt value is an informational reference — not a price at which you can legally liquidate the copper content yourself.
The 1982 cent transition from bronze to zinc mid-year, combined with two mint facilities (Philadelphia and Denver) and two date-punch sizes (Large Date and Small Date), produced eight distinct varieties. The rarest is the 1982-D Small Date bronze — fewer than five confirmed examples, with auction results above $10,000. Weigh any 1982-D cent showing a Small Date on a 0.01 g scale: if it reads 3.110 g, seek professional authentication before spending or selling it.
Yes. Cents minted from 1909 through 2025 remain legal tender for all debts public and private. The November 2025 cessation of circulating production does not affect their monetary status. Retailers may adopt rounding policies for cash transactions, but they are not federally required to refuse cents. Banks continue to accept cents for deposit.
Victor David Brenner (1871–1924), a Lithuanian-born American sculptor and medalist, designed the Lincoln cent obverse for the 1909 centennial of Lincoln's birth. The reverse Wheat design was also his. His initials 'V.D.B.' appeared prominently on the 1909 reverse, were removed mid-year after public complaint, and returned in 1918 in a smaller form on Lincoln's shoulder. The Lincoln Memorial reverse (1959–2008) was designed by Frank Gasparro; the Lincoln Shield reverse (2010–2025) by Lyndall Bass and engraved by Joseph Menna.
Melt value is the metal floor — many Lincoln cents carry collector premiums well above that figure, from 1909 Wheat cents to key-date Memorial issues. Use the coins-value.com reference to look up prices by year, mint mark, and grade.
See Lincoln cent prices by year and mint mark →The Assay coin identification app reads date, mint mark, and variety from a photo. Useful for quickly sorting 1982 transition-year cents before weighing, or verifying a suspected 1943 bronze before sending it out for professional authentication.
All melt-value figures on this page are informational market-floor references only and do not constitute a transaction quote, offer to buy, or offer to sell; 31 CFR § 82 prohibits melting US one-cent coins.