Old vs New

[arizonaames]

Yesterday, I found a penny that was 90 years old and another that was 80 years old and they were both in good condition. Today, I found a penny that was a 2002 and 10% was corroded away and the rest of it was also corroded. What is the deal with the new coins?

 

[RJGMC]

Since 1982, (I think that is when they started), a U.S. one cent coin is nothing more that a fragile, ultra thin layer of copper over a zinc base. When the copper gets even a small scratch in it, the zinc inside it is no longer protected, is starts to decay, corrode and starts breaking down. Take one of these partly corroded pennies and two pair of pliers, you can break it in half, if you try that with a penny from the 70's it will just bend.

Bob

 

[arizonaames]

Thank you for the info. Most apprediated...jim

 

[jrsherman]

In other words, our money isnt worth the brown stuff on the toilet paper its made of!

 

[N.J.THer]

The sad thing is that detectorist a hundred years from now will not find any 100 year old pennies.

NJ

 

[Nick A]

The sad thing is that detectorist a hundred years from now will not find any 100 year old pennies.

I think that's possibly a blessing. Made in the billions, zinc cents will have little value either at face value (due to inflation) or as collector pieces. Good riddance. I almost with they were 100% zinc, so they would dissolve within a year in the ground!

I wish the government would dump the cent altogether and introduce $1 and $2 coins. Imagine how much better a day you could have finding clad if you got a few $1 coins? Better chance of paying for your gas, for sure.

 

[djabend]

I made a topic on Zincolns showing some in a pretty advanced state of decay.

Link here:
Images of Zincoln pennies in various stages of decay

It will be interesting to see the ones we find in the ground 50 years from now.

HH,
Donny

 

[N.J.THer]

The sad thing is that detectorist a hundred years from now will not find any 100 year old pennies.

I think that's possibly a blessing. Made in the billions, zinc cents will have little value either at face value (due to inflation) or as collector pieces. Good riddance. I almost with they were 100% zinc, so they would dissolve within a year in the ground!

I wish the government would dump the cent altogether and introduce $1 and $2 coins. Imagine how much better a day you could have finding clad if you got a few $1 coins? Better chance of paying for your gas, for sure.

I agree about finding the zincolns now but I do like finding a 100 year old Indian Head which is what these coins will be in 100 years. We do have $1 coins in circulation but no $2 coins yet...

NJ

 

[allen]

new pennies are just junk !!

 

[rmptr]

Of recent coins, only the nickel has any metallic value, and I'm not sure of the newest ones !
Many folks hoard the 82 1/2 and prior pennies for investment. It shall pay off, one day.

 

[Sky Pilot]

Since 1982, (I think that is when they started), a U.S. one cent coin is nothing more that a fragile, ultra thin layer of copper over a zinc base. When the copper gets even a small scratch in it, the zinc inside it is no longer protected, is starts to decay, corrode and starts breaking down. Take one of these partly corroded pennies and two pair of pliers, you can break it in half, if you try that with a penny from the 70's it will just bend.

Bob

RJGMC, skypilot02 here! You are "on the money" with the 1982 date, however, it was a mid year change, like the 1909 Indians and 1909 wheat's! So, if its corroded, zinc, if not possibly copper! Most of my '82's have been copper, but I have no clue to the amount of each minted, but the red book should have the numbers! Regards, Richard

 

[mlayers]

If the goverment wold just take the $1 bill out of circulation then we would have to carry arou d the $1 coin and then people would start losing them and then we can find them. As for the penny I keep everything from 1980 and older......Matt

 

[tinkb]

Sad part about the new zinc pennies is they have to real melt or scrape value either. Seem the only one the makes out on them is the manufacture. Atleast the copper ones could be melted back down and used again. These new ones just let away in the soil for a loss all the way around....and we're paying for it.