Five gallons of pennies!

[EBCIII]

Originally Posted by journeyoftheanimals

What is so important about pennies before 1982 or whatever was metioned. I may have to start watching my pennies for something other then wheat backs.

Great, more squinting or using the jewelers loop to see dates.

1982 and prior pennies were .950 copper, after that date they became 99.2% zinc core. The Zincers erode much faster in the ground. That is why you get so many crumy looking modern pennies.

Copper has gotten pricey. The older pennies are worth more melted than face value to an extent. Certain key dates, mint marks, error pennies, etc should not be melted down.

I would highly suggest getting "The Official Red Book". It is a coin collectors go to book. I have one and use it on a regular basis, Beale.

[Metalman]

Originally Posted by prizm-pal

Beale as I have yet to go thru them... not sure how many pre 1982... but sure many... worth twice as much for scrap... I could melt with cutting tourch...is it leagal to do this?

No Its not ,,at this point in time its a felony with some fairly stiff penalties .

[EBCIII]

Originally Posted by Metalman

No Its not ,,at this point in time its a felony with some fairly stiff penalties .

Very true! It is a felony and does come with a stiff penalty. I do not advocate doing it.

It is rather wierd though that we keep minting them. With the zinc core their lifespan will be very shortlived. I have also heard that they cost more to make than they are worth, Beale.

[journeyoftheanimals]

Yes, I want to get the redbook. I looked at the place where I get my 2x2s but did not see it there. So I will have to look around I guess.

[MinelabMan]

I'm sure Barnes & Nobles sell them, I usually just get the red book and blue book off eBay or Amazon.com, cheaper than B&N and I don't have to fight the traffic.

[bigmike971]

Originally Posted by EBCIII

Very true! It is a felony and does come with a stiff penalty. I do not advocate doing it.

It is rather wierd though that we keep minting them. With the zinc core their lifespan will be very shortlived. I have also heard that they cost more to make than they are worth, Beale.

I saw a special on the history channel about the u.s. mint. They stated on there that a penny does cost more to make then its worth. They are working on getting rid of the penny altogether. Who know if that will happen.