From Copper to Copper-Nickel: The Cents of 1857

Nearly 40 years ago, in 1982, the composition of the Lincoln cent changed from brass to copper-clad zinc, but this change was hardly noticed by the general public. There was a more drastic change to the cent in 1857, however, when it became much smaller and went from copper to copper-nickel. The story begins in the late 1840s.

With the discovery of gold in California, world prices were upset for a number of commodities, including copper. The weight of the copper cent had remained unchanged since December 1795, when it had been fixed at 168 grains (10.89 grams), but on several occasions in the early 1850s the cost of making a cent piece had come close to face value.

In each case the crisis had passed, but Mint officials well understood that the institution had to show a profit on the copper coinage. If the government lost money on each coin, then something would have to be done. The mining of gold would cause this to happen after 1850.

At 168 grains per coin, there were 41-2/3 cent pieces in each avoirdupois pound. In the early 1850s, the Mint was still having its planchets made by outside firms, principally Crocker Brothers of Taunton, Mass.