How do you know if a penny is real?

How do you know if a penny is real?

This process is the easiest way to tell if your penny is solid copper or copperplated. You can test your penny yourself by seeing if it sticks to a magnet. If it does, your penny is worth about 15 cents as a novelty item.

What makes a 1943 copper penny rare?

It is believed that these coins were made because some copper planchets had been left in the hoppers when the steel cents were being made. These off-metal errors are by far the rarest of all Lincoln pennies.

How can you tell if you have a 1943 copper penny?

The easiest way to determine if a 1943 cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert.

How can you tell if you have a 1943 bronze penny?

Will a magnet pick up a copper penny?

If you have a strong enough magnetic field all matter is magnetic. So the short answer is “No, copper isn’t magnetic.” This can quickly be tested by trying to pick up a penny with a magnet.

What year copper penny is worth the most?

1943
The 1943 copper-alloy cent is one of the most enigmatic coins in American numismatics — and reportedly the most valuable Lincoln penny of all.

How can you tell if a penny is made of copper?

Pennies are made from one of two materials: pure copper, or zinc with a copper coating. There are four ways to test for a copper penny: First, look carefully at the penny’s color. Zinc pennies may have a spotty, uneven look, while copper pennies are more likely to appear orange or even chocolate.

How can you tell if a 1943 copper penny is a fake?

Thankfully, there are several telltale signs to spotting a fake 1943 copper penny: Sticks to a magnet – if your 1943 penny does stick to a magnet, it’s really made from steel and is not rare. Weighs less than 3 grams – 1943 copper pennies weigh about 3.11 grams, while the 1943 steel penny weighs 2.7 grams.

What kind of copper is a Lincoln Memorial Penny made of?

If your Lincoln Memorial penny has a date before 1982, it is made of 95% copper. If the date is 1983 or later, it is made of 97.5% zinc and plated with a thin copper coating. For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them.

Is it illegal to melt a copper penny?

Although it is illegal to melt pennies and sell the raw metal, people still pull the solid copper pennies out of circulation in order to save them for their copper value. Be sure to use a scale that is accurate enough to detect a tenth of a gram (0.1 g.) or better.