U.S. Copper Content

coop · Expert Member

Which U.S. Business strike coin has the most Copper in it?
If you would like a detailed list I will post it later. But you might be surprized what the answer is.

Dick · Expert Member

Coop, that leaves a LOT of room!
I would say the Flying Eagle. I'm not sure if you mean by quantity, or by oercentage.
Dick

coop · Expert Member

Dick: Flying Eagles, Large Cents, Pre 1982 Cent have mostly copper in them. But the question I was asking was: Which U.S Business struck coin has the most copper in the coin, not the percentage of copper. Good question though.

GarryN · Expert Member

I believe the answer is the Large Cent. Specifically Chain and Wreath Cents

coop · Expert Member

Flying Eagle and Indian Cents
4.12 Grams One Cent 1856-1864

Large Cents
13.48 Grams One Cent 1793-1795 (Thicker Planchets)
10.89 Grams One Cent 1795-1796
10.98 Grams One Cent 1796-1807
10.89 Grams One Cent 1808-1857
Gram weight of copper only. Not figuring the other metals.

Still a few coins higher in copper content.

coop · Expert Member

I guess you need a clue.

Silver coins before 1964 were considered Silver because of the 90% silver content. What was the other 10% of those coins?

(not the answer, but to get you thinking deeper.)

Earwig · Veteran Member

Pre 64 silver is 10 percent copper. And i would say post 71 Ike clad dollars may have the most copper. Just a guess but i believe they are mostly copper with a nickle/copper outer layer. And im guessing around 21 grams of copper

Eric

GarryN · Expert Member

the Eisenhower dollar is a good bet. See specs http://www.coinfacts.com/silver_dollars/eisenhower_dollars/1972_one_dollar.htm

Dick · Expert Member

garryN, youu may have just "hit the jack-pot"! I was not considering the "IKES", but the "specs" sure give it an edge.
Dick

Steven · Expert Member

I would just as soon seen the IKE been 100% copper and instead of ONE DOLLAR and having been 100 Cents. Rolling Eyes

Easier to search 100 cents that way Laughing

Steven

Dick · Expert Member

Steven, I hear you! Lots easier to "handle" too.
I have recently gone to searching, and naturally stashing, (by the roll), of the half dollars. The size helps, too!
Dick

Earwig · Veteran Member

Some nice Ike varieties too. I love Ike and Kennedy halves but of course im a modern coin freak in general

Eric

coop · Expert Member

Copper Content of U. S. Business Strike Coins:
6.74 Grams Half Cent 1793-1797
5.44 Grams Half Cent 1800-1857
13.48 Grams One Cent 1793-1795 (Thicker Planchets)
10.89 Grams One Cent 1795-1796
10.98 Grams One Cent 1796-1807
10.89 Grams One Cent 1808-1857
4.12 Grams One Cent 1856-1864
2.95 Grams One Cent 1864-1942
2.95 Grams One Cent 1944-1982
5.91 Grams Two Cent 1864-1873
.20 Grams Silver Three Cent 1851-1853
.075 Grams Silver Three Cent 1854-1873
.049 Grams Nickel Three Cent 1865-1889
.015 Grams Half Dime1794-1837
.013 Grams Half Dime 1837-1853
.012 Grams Half Dime 1853-1873
3.75 Grams Nickel 1866-1942
2.13 Grams Nickel 1942-1945 (War time Nickel)
3.75 Grams Nickel 1946-1986
.291 Grams Dimes 1796-1837
.267 Grams Dimes 1837-1853
.249 Grams Dimes 1853-1873
.250 Grams Dimes 1873-1964
1.70 Grams Dimes 1965-2006
.50 Grams Twenty Cent 1875-1878
.725 Grams Quarter (27 Mill) 1796-1928
.668 Grams Quarter 24.3 Mill) 1831-1891
.625 Grams Quarter 1892-1964
4.25 Grams Quarter 1965-1976
4.54 Grams Quarter Silver issue 1976
4.25 Grams Quarter 1977-2006
1.48 Grams Half Dollar (32.5 Mill) 1794-1836
1.34 Grams Half Dollar (30 Mill) 1836-1839
1.34 Grams Half Dollar (30.6 Mill) 1839-1853
1.24 Grams Half Dollar 1853- 1853-1873
1.25 Grams Half Dollar 1873- 1964
2.30 Grams (40% Silver) 1965- 1970
8.50 Grams Clad Halves 1976- 1974
7.15 Grams Silver Composition 1976 Half Dollar
8.50 Grams Clad Halves 1977-2006
2.90 Grams Silver Dollar (39-40 Mill) 1794-1804
2.67 Grams Gobrecht Dollar 38.1 (Mill) 1836- 1873
2.72 Grams Trade Dollar 1873-1875
2.67 Grams Morgan Dollar 1878-1921
2.67 Grams Peace Dollar 1921-1935
17.01 Grams Eisenhower Dollar Clad 1971-1978
15.65 Grams Eisenhower Dollar Clad 1976
6.07 Grams Anthony Dollar 1979-1981 & 1999

Dick · Expert Member

Coop, that is an imposing list! I would have gone blind, before I finished complying it! I will, however, save it, so I can see if my "IKES, and half dollars are "up to weight"
I have all the IKES. I never let one slip thru my fingers. Now the Presodents junk......I keep my hands in my pockets, when any of them are around. Twisted Evil

The there are the "Midgets". I have a slew of them in albums.
Dick

coop · Expert Member

Dick: This is not the weight of the coin, just the amount of copper in each coin. The Cents are mostly copper before 1982.