From what I have read, Pennies need to be sorted by year to really figure out their value at this point. According to this chart, pennies are 98% copper up until 1996 so they're worth well more than one cent each. YearsMassDiameter/ShapeComposition[12] 2000–present * 2.35 g 19.05 mm, round 94%steel, 1.5%nickel, 4.5% copper plated zinc 1997–1999 * 2.25 g 19.05 mm, round 98.4%zinc, 1.6% copper plating 1982–1996 2.5 g 19.1mm,12-sided 98%copper, 1.75%tin, 0.25% zinc 1980–1981 2.8g 19.0mm, round 98% copper, 1.75% tin, 0.25% zinc 1978–1979 3.24g 19.05mm, round 98% copper, 1.75% tin, 0.25% zinc 1942–1977 3.24g 19.05mm, round 98% copper, 0.5% tin, 1.5% zinc 1920–1941 3.24g 19.05mm, round 95.5% copper, 3% tin, 1.5% zinc 1876–1920 5.67g 25.4mm, round 95.5% copper, 3% tin, 1.5% zinc 1858–1859 4.54g 25.4mm, round 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc