Thinking about scrapping old copper pennies or coins for metal value? Don’t.
While it may seem profitable to melt down pennies made before 1982 — when they were mostly copper — it’s completely illegal in the U.S. and could cost you up to $10,000 in fines or 5 years in prison.
Let’s break down why scrapping coins isn’t worth the risk and what you need to know instead.
Is It Illegal to Scrap Pennies or Coins?
Yes. According to the U.S. Mint, melting coins like pennies and nickels is strictly prohibited. Even if the metal inside is technically worth more than the coin’s face value, you can’t legally sell them as scrap.
Penalties may include: Source
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- 5 years in prison
Even trustworthy scrap yards won’t accept melted coins or copper bars made from them. Most don’t want the legal liability and have no way to resell melted U.S. currency.
What Metals Are in Coins?
Understanding what’s inside U.S. coins helps explain why some people are tempted to scrap them:
- Pennies (post-1982): Copper-plated zinc
- Pennies (pre-1982): ~95% copper, 5% zinc
- Nickels: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Dimes & Quarters: Copper core with a 75% copper / 25% nickel clad
Older coins may contain more valuable metals, but that doesn’t change the illegality of scrapping them.
Are Any Coins Worth Scrapping?
While U.S. coins are off-limits, there are some exceptions:
- Silver Coins: Some U.S. coins made before 1965 contain silver and can be legally sold for their metal value — often 3–15x face value.
- Non-U.S. Coins: Commemorative brass coins, casino tokens, or game center coins may be scrappable depending on the yard.
Still, you should always call your local yard first using the iScrap App to confirm what they accept.
Fun Facts About Coins
- Why do dimes and quarters have ridges? To prevent fraud when they were made of silver or gold. Filing the edges used to be a trick to steal tiny amounts of precious metals.
- Lincoln faces right on the penny — the only U.S. coin portrait that does. A unique design choice by President Theodore Roosevelt.
- Average coin lifespan? About 25 years in circulation.
- Worn or mutated coins can be redeemed at any Federal Reserve Bank — not scrapped.
