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Why did the composition of the US penny change?
Because the rise in value of copper made pennies worth more than one cent.
What year was penny changed in amount of copper?
Midway through 1982, the composition of the US penny changed from 95% copper and 5% zinc to 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper (in the form of a coating of pure copper over a core of zinc).
Why did the US government change the penny?
The cent (penny) has been changed many times over the years. In 1982 it was changed from bronze to copper-plated zinc because the price of copper increased and it cost more than 1 cent to make a penny. In 1943 cents were made of steel to save copper for use in ammunition. In 1864 the composition was changed from cupronickel to bronze because nickel is so hard it damaged the coin presses available at the time. In 1857 the composition was changed from pure copper to cupronickel and the con was reduced in size because it contained more than 1 cent worth of copper.
Is George Washington on the penny?
No, George Washington is not on the penny. Abraham Lincoln is featured on the front (obverse) of the penny.
What is a straw penny?
"Staw Penny" refers to an old US penny with wheat on the back, which was the design through the 1950s. Current pennies have the Lincoln Memorial on the back.
