Years Material Weight (grains) Weight (grams) 1793 -- 1795 ~ 100 % copper 208 grains 13.48 1795 -- 1857 ~ 100 % copper 168 grains 10.89 1856 -- 1864 88 % copper, 12 % nickel (also known as NS - 12) 72 grains 4.67 1864 -- 1942 bronze (95 % copper, 5 % tin and zinc) 48 grains 3.11 1943 zinc - coated steel (also known as 1943 steel cent) 42 grains 2.72 1944 -- 1946 brass (shell case copper) (95 % copper, 5 % zinc) 48 grains 3.11 1947 -- 1962 bronze (95 % copper, 5 % tin and zinc) 48 grains 3.11 1962 -- 1981 brass (95 % copper, 5 % zinc) 48 grains 3.11 1982 brass (95 % copper, 5 % zinc) 48 grains 3.11 copper - plated zinc (97.5 % zinc, 2.5 % copper) 38.6 grains 2.5 1983 -- present copper - plated zinc (97.5 % zinc, 2.5 % copper) 38.6 grains 2.5
when did they stop making solid copper pennies
1857