Canadian cents crumbled!!

Newfiehunter

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2007
742
342
Newfoundland
Detector(s) used
Currently own: Fisher CZ5, Eurotek Pro, Tesoro Vaquero, Tesoro Cortes, Vibraprobe 560, Vibradetector 720, Garrett ProPointer. Makro Pinpoiinter Used: Whites Liberty2, Garrett Freedom3, Garrett GTA 1
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Just awhile ago, when I had some time on my hands, I decided to clean some Canadian pennies by soaking them in some vinegar for a few days. Anyway, as I was brushing off some dirt off some the recent minted cents (last 5 years or so) some of them started to disintegrate. They literally started to crumble in my hands!! There were some that I could just break in two with hardly any effort. I know that the metal composition had changed. Canadian pennies are no being produced from copper. I believe it is a steel plated metal alloy. Also, if chedked on a metal detector with a VID, the newer Canadian pennies will show up just above iron on the meter. What gives?
 

OP
OP
Newfiehunter

Newfiehunter

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2007
742
342
Newfoundland
Detector(s) used
Currently own: Fisher CZ5, Eurotek Pro, Tesoro Vaquero, Tesoro Cortes, Vibraprobe 560, Vibradetector 720, Garrett ProPointer. Makro Pinpoiinter Used: Whites Liberty2, Garrett Freedom3, Garrett GTA 1
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Thanks John.
 

bigbcbear

Greenie
Jan 31, 2004
15
0
Delta BC
year 2000 to 2008 contents 94% steel, 1.5% nickel, 4.5% copper plated zinc 1997 to 1999 98.4% zinc, 1.6% copper plating. Sounds like you have the 97 to 99 pennies . I have found a bunch of the 97 to 99 and they just crumble. plus they are dangerous to kids. to much zinc , kids land up in hospital from swallowing them.
 

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