Pennies. You have at least a dozen of them. I know they are everywhere. But did you ever think about what they consist of? Where do they come from? Today, let's answer a few of these questions. So, let's strap up and learn some facts about pennies, shall we?

Alright, let's begin with a pop quiz. What are pennies made of? Well, let's find out. Take a few seconds to guess. Guessed it yet? The materials are zinc and copper. But how much exactly? Well, here are the results!

Put one penny on a scale, then the other penny on another. Copper pennies (dated before 1982) should weigh around 3.11 grams (~0.11 ounces). Copper-plated zinc pennies (dated after 1982) should weigh approximately 2.5 grams (~0.09 ounces). You can also try dropping the pennies. The copper pennies should make a ring sound, while copper-plated zinc pennies should make a clunk sound.

The back of the penny had changed in 2009 to replace the old Lincoln Memorial design. Four different designs portrayed the life of Abraham Lincoln. In 2010, the back on the penny changed to a union shield. It dates back to the 1780s and was used widely during the Civil War.

• Pennies once were made up of steel - In 1943, copper was needed for the war effort, so steel was used for minting pennies. However, this made it difficult to distinguish between a dime and a penny. The change reverted the following year because of this.

• Pennies had originally looked HUGE - In 1793, one year after the opening of the U.S. Mint, the first cent was minted. The penny was so massive that it became difficult to use it. The penny didn't get a shorter replacement until 1857, more than 50 years later.

• There was originally no president on a penny - In 1909, the penny design changed to show the face of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. He became the first person and president to be on a coin, and the design hasn't changed much since then.

Pennies did indeed have an interesting background around them. Next time you come across a penny, whenever in your change or on the street, start thinking about its history and appearance.

“What Are Pennies Made Of?” APMEX, 24 May 2022, learn.apmex.com/learning-guide/science/what-are-pennies-made-of.

Headley, Susan. "Is My Penny Solid Copper or a Copper-Plated Zinc Cent?" The Spruce Crafts, 6 July 2022, thesprucecrafts.com/penny-solid-copper-or-plated-768853.

“Lincoln Shield Cent | Union Shield Penny.” Lincoln Cents | Guide to the Lincoln Cent Coin Series, lincolncents.net/lincoln-shield-cent. Accessed 23 Nov. 2022.

“Fun Facts | U.S. Mint for Kids.” United States Mint, usmint.gov/learn/kids/coins/fun-facts/category/penny. Accessed 23 Nov. 2022.