On May 10, 2006, at 10:45 AM, Barry wrote:
> The US penny (pre-1982.  Post-1982 is copper plated zinc) is now worth
> about 2 cents in copper.
The copper alloy pennies are about 2.6 grams and ring nicely when  
dropped (like a bell). The copper-coated zinc pennies are 3.1 grams  
and land with a dull thunk when dropped.
Curiously, you can't tell if a 1982 penny is copper alloy or coated  
zinc without weighing it on a sensitive balance, or dropping it and  
listening for the ring or thunk.
Zinc and Nickel prices have risen, too, although not quite as  
dramatically as copper.
I wonder if we'll see the return of the Zinc-plated Steel pennies  
(like from 1943).
Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
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