The U.S. has changed the composition of the cent several times.
- From 1793-1857 the penny was made of 100% copper.
- 1857-1864 the penny was made of 88% copper and 12% nickel.
- 1864-1942 The penny was bronze being made of 95% copper, and 5% tin and zinc.
- In 1943 the penny was called the 1943 steel cent because it was made of zinc-coated steel.
- From 1944-46 the cent was brass and made of 95% copper and 5% zinc.
- From 1946-1962 the penny was bronze and made of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc.
- From 1962-1982 the penny was again brass and made of 95% copper and 5% zinc.
- The most recent change was in mid-1982. The penny is 2.5% copper, being plated in pure copper. The core is made of zinc, 97.5%. The price of copper increased and the penny was cost more to make than it was worth.
The penny still costs more to make than it's worth. As of 2010 it costs 1.79 cents to make a single penny.
