US Copper Coin Melt Values

Current Intrinsic Metal Value of US Copper and Zinc Coins

The coins that we will list on this page are the mostly copper coins such as 1 cent penny type coins (small cents, large cents, and also two cent pieces). The list below shows the intrinsic value of these coins or basically how much the bullion or copper metal content of the coin itself is worth. This chart includes the value of zinc factored into the melt value of modern copper coins. The pre-1982 copper pennies are very popular in recent times due to their high intrinsic value. Newer post-1982 Lincoln Cents have a 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper metal alloy composition, which makes them less valuable. We will display information about the Zinc prices as well and you can use our handy copper coin value calculator to find the value of various kinds of your copper coins. Click on the links for each type of coin to view even more information including the numismatic price guide for these coins.

Fun Facts - How many Lincoln pennies does it take to equal 1 pound of pure copper?
154 pre-1982 pennies = 1 Pound of Copper
7258 post-1982 pennies = 1 Pound of Copper

Current Precious and Base Metal Bullion Spot Prices:

Updated Live! Gold, Silver, Platinum and Copper. Updated Daily: Nickel, Zinc and Manganese.
As of March 28 2024 07:44 PM CDT:
Gold: $2244.92 per Ounce
Silver: $25.17 per Ounce
Platinum: $924.93 per Ounce
Copper: $4.01 per Pound
Nickel: $7.53 per Pound
Zinc: $1.11 per Pound
Manganese: $2449.40 per Ton

Image Type Description Metal Content Weight Denomination Melt Value
Half Cents
Liberty Cap Half CentsLiberty Cap Half Cents (1793-1797)100% Copper6.74 grams$0.005$0.0596
Draped Bust Half Cents   Draped Bust Half Cents (1800-1808)100% Copper5.44 grams$0.005$0.0481
Classic Head Half Cents   Classic Head Half Cents (1809-1836)100% Copper5.44 grams$0.005$0.0481
Braided Hair Half Cents   Braided Hair Half Cents (1840-1857)100% Copper5.44 grams$0.005$0.0481
Large Cents
Flowing Hair Large Cents   Flowing Hair Large Cents (1793)100% Copper13.48 grams$0.01$0.1192
Liberty Cap Large Cents   Liberty Cap Large Cents (1793-1796)100% Copper13.48 grams$0.01$0.1192
Draped Bust Large Cents   Draped Bust Large Cents (1796-1807)100% Copper10.89 grams$0.01$0.0963
Classic Head Large Cents   Classic Head Large Cents (1808-1814)100% Copper10.89 grams$0.01$0.0963
Coronet Liberty Head Large Cents   Coronet Liberty Head Large Cents (1816-1839)100% Copper10.89 grams$0.01$0.0963
Braided Hair Liberty Head Large Cents   Braided Hair Liberty Head Large Cents (1839-1857)100% Copper10.89 grams$0.01$0.0963
Small Cents
Flying Eagle Cent Small Cents   Flying Eagle Cent Small Cents (1856-1858)88% Copper - 12% Nickel4.67 grams$0.01$0.0398
Indian Head Cent Small Cents   Indian Head Cent Copper-Nickel Comp. (1859-1864)88% Copper - 12% Nickel4.67 grams$0.01$0.0398
Indian Head Cent Small Cents    Indian Head Cent Bronze Comp. (1864 - 1909)95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc3.11 grams$0.01$0.0265
Lincoln Wheat Cent Small Cents   Lincoln Wheat Cent Small Cents (1909-1958)95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc3.11 grams$0.01$0.0265
Lincoln Memorial Cent Small Cents   Lincoln Memorial Cent Small Cents (1959-1982)95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc3.11 grams$0.01$0.0265
Lincoln Memorial Cent Small Cents    Lincoln Memorial Cent (1982 - Present)97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper2.5 grams$0.01$0.0065
Lincoln Bicentennial Cents Lincoln Bicentennial Cents (2009)97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper2.5 grams$0.01$0.0065
Lincoln Shield Cent Small Cents   Lincoln Shield Cent Small Cents (2010-Present)97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper2.5 grams$0.01$0.0065
Two Cents
 Two Cents    Two Cents Pieces (1864-1873)95% Copper - 5% Tin and Zinc6.22 grams$0.02$0.0530

Copper Coin Melt Value Calculator

Use this calculator to find the value of your copper coins. Choose any copper coin ever made in US history and enter how many you have. The current copper spot price (based on pounds, but converted to grams) is automatically inputted into the calculator but you can also change this to different prices as well. Pre-1982 copper pennies are extremely popular right now and this handy calculator will help you find the melt value or intrinsic value for copper bullion.

View the following link: Copper Coin Melt Value Calculator.


Copper Metal Prices and Charts

24 hour copper spot price chart 6 month copper spot price chart 1 year copper spot price chart 5 year copper spot price chart

Zinc Metal Prices and Charts

24 hour zinc spot price chart




Coin Chart: Tap a '+' sign to expand further coin details. Click coin image to view full-size image.