Which US Coins Are Silver? A Year-by-Year Cheat Sheet
1964 and earlier dimes, quarters and halves are 90% silver. Here's every US silver coin by year, plus the look-alikes that fool people.
Indian Head Penny (bronze) Melt Value
Live · updated ET
Melt value of one Indian Head Penny (bronze)
$0.0424
Face value $0.01Melt ÷ face 4.24×
A Indian Head Penny (bronze) (1864–1909) weighs 3.11 grams and is made of 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc. At today’s metal prices the metal in one coin is worth about $0.0424, more than its face value.
Bronze Indian Head cents from 1864 on. Earlier 1859–1864 Indian cents are copper-nickel and heavier.
Indian Head Penny (bronze) specifications
| Years | 1864–1909 |
|---|---|
| Face value | $0.01 |
| Weight | 3.11 g (0.1000 troy oz) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Copper content | 2.955 g · worth $0.0418 |
| Zinc content | 0.156 g · worth $0.0006 |
How much are Indian Head Penny (bronze) coins worth in bulk?
| Quantity | Face value | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.01 | $0.0424 |
| 5 | $0.05 | $0.2121 |
| 10 | $0.10 | $0.4241 |
| 50 (1 roll) | $0.50 | $2.12 |
| 100 | $1.00 | $4.24 |
| 1,000 | $10.00 | $42.41 |
How the Indian Head Penny (bronze) melt value has changed
| Date | Melt value then | Change to today |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month ago (Oct 9, 2026) | $0.0437 | ▼ -3.02% |
| 1 year ago (Nov 9, 2025) | $0.0321 | ▲ +32.06% |
| 5 years ago (Nov 9, 2021) | $0.0293 | ▲ +44.72% |
| 10 years ago (Nov 9, 2016) | $0.0165 | ▲ +156.97% |
Based on stored daily closing prices and monthly averages for copper, nickel and zinc.
Can you melt them? Not for profit. Federal rules (31 CFR Part 82) prohibit melting or treating US 1-cent and 5-cent coins and restrict exporting them, with narrow exceptions (for example small quantities for numismatic use, or coins used in jewelry and crafts without intent to profit from the metal). Violations can bring fines of up to $10,000 and up to five years in prison. Melt value here shows what the metal is worth, not a legal way to cash it in.
Melt value vs. what your Indian Head Penny (bronze) is worth
Melt value is the floor: the value of the metal alone. Dealers who buy coins for their metal usually pay a little below melt. Coins with a rare date, mint mark or error, or in uncirculated condition, can sell for far more than melt to collectors – check a current price guide or have the coin graded before selling anything that looks scarce.
Have several coins? Use the coin melt value calculator.
Other pennies (cents)
| Coin | Years | Metal content | Melt value | × face |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Flying Eagle & Indian Head Copper-Nickel Cent | 1856–1864 | 4.67 g · 88% copper | $0.0673 | 6.7× |
 Lincoln Wheat Penny | 1909–1958 | 3.11 g · 95% copper | $0.0424 | 4.2× |
 1943 Steel Penny | 1943 | 2.7 g · Zinc-coated steel | $0.0001 | 0.0× |
 Lincoln Memorial Copper Penny | 1959–1982 | 3.11 g · 95% copper | $0.0424 | 4.2× |
 Lincoln Zinc Penny | 1982–present | 2.5 g · Copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc | $0.0107 | 1.1× |
Melt value = metal content × today’s spot price. It is not what a dealer pays (usually less) or a collector’s price (often more).
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Indian Head Penny (bronze) worth in melt value today?
At today’s metal prices (November 9, 2026) one Indian Head Penny (bronze) contains about $0.0424 worth of metal. This is the melt (scrap) value – rare dates and coins in top condition can sell for much more to collectors.
What is a Indian Head Penny (bronze) made of?
A Indian Head Penny (bronze) weighs 3.11 grams and is made of 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc.
Is a Indian Head Penny (bronze) worth more than its face value?
Right now the metal in a Indian Head Penny (bronze) is worth 4.2× its face value of $0.01.
Is it legal to melt pennies and nickels?
No, not for profit. Federal rules (31 CFR Part 82) prohibit melting or treating 1-cent and 5-cent coins and limit exporting them, with narrow exceptions such as small amounts for numismatic use or coins used in jewelry and crafts without intent to profit from the metal. 1942–1945 silver war nickels are exempt.
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Melt values are estimates based on spot prices and official coin specifications. Dealers usually pay less than melt; rare coins can be worth far more to collectors.