Money & Finance Are pennies still 100% copper? March 8, 2026 by Tanp | Leave a Comment No, pennies minted in the United States are no longer 100% copper. Since 1982, the U.S. Mint has produced pennies primarily made of copper-plated zinc, with a thin layer of copper on the outside. This change was implemented due to the rising cost of copper. The Evolution of the Penny: From Copper to Copper-Plated Zinc […] Read more ยป