98% Copper
1942 – 1996
Canadian one cent coins, more commonly referred to as “pennies,” were minted from a 98% copper alloy from 1942 through 1996, after which the composition was changed first to predominately zinc, and then to plated steel.
Canada reduced the weight of the penny twice in an effort to reduce material costs as the price of copper rose. The weight was reduced from 3.24 grams to 2.8 grams in 1980, and from 2.8 grams to 2.5 grams in 1982.
Approved Processors use electronic sorting equipment to separate copper pennies from zinc and steel pennies, and package the copper variety in 17 and 68 pound Trade Units for maximum shipping efficiency. The face value varies due to the different weight pennies.
Canadian CTUs may occasionally contain pennies from 1920 – 1941, which are also copper but of a slightly different alloy (95.5% copper). These are not very common in circulation, so very few make their way into Trade Units.
Visit the Approved Merchants page for information on where to buy and sell Trade Units.
