98% of the composition of each U.S. penny is what metal?

That shiny copper penny in your pocket is actually a bit of an illusion. This is because, in 1982, the U.S. Mint dramatically changed the coin's composition due to a simple economic problem: the rising price of copper meant the metal in each penny was becoming worth more than one cent. To prevent the coins from being melted down for their raw material and to control production costs, the Treasury authorized a more cost-effective alternative.

The solution was to switch to a core made of nearly pure zinc, which accounts for about 98% of the coin's total mass. To maintain the penny's traditional and recognizable appearance, this zinc core is then given a very thin plating of copper, which makes up the remaining 2% of its composition. The transition happened mid-year, meaning that 1982 pennies can be found in both the original 95% copper alloy and the new zinc-core version. The easiest way to tell them apart is by weight, as the older copper pennies are noticeably heavier.