Question: are wheat pennies solid copper?
Answer: Ever since 1864, all the way up to 1982 (with the notable exception of 1943, when they were made from 100% steel), the one-cent coin commonly known as the “penny” has contained 95% copper. The remaining 5% has varied over time from pure tin, to various tin/zinc alloys, to pure zinc. ... 1909S Lincoln Wheat Cent.