Pennies...but not copper?!?

Question

I just found a 1992 penny that appears to be steel or something like that...point is it has no copper, but it is in very good condition. Anyone know what the deal is with this?

Answer 1

The cost a making a penny made out of copper is about 2.5 cents. It is a losing proposition to make them from copper any longer.

Answer 2

It should have a copper clad; undoubtedly it did at one time. It may have worn off.

During the war there was a year in which copper was not in the penny. 1943, I think--or sometime around there.

But in the 1990's, all pennies should have copper. Although I suppose it is possible that yours was improperly manufactured at the mint. In that case your penny would be worth something.