The amount of copper in a penny depends on the year the penny was made or minted. The most common pennies you will find are what are commonly called zinc pennies. These pennies are dated mid 1982 and newer and comprise of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper. Pennies dated mid 1982 and older are known as copper pennies and contain 95% copper and 5% zinc. Note that pennies dated 1909 to 1958 are known as wheat cents and may contain a very small amount of tin (less than 1%).

Read more answers: How many pennies in a pound?

Copper pennies are worth more in metal value than their face value and are worth collecting in large amounts for investing in copper pennies. See what people are paying for copper pennies.