The 1949 US penny was composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. This composition is known as "bronze." Bronze is a strong and durable metal, which makes it ideal for use in coins. The copper gives the penny its distinctive red-brown color, while the tin and zinc help to strengthen the metal and prevent it from tarnishing.
Weight and Dimensions of the 1949 US Penny
The 1949 US penny weighed 3.11 grams (0.111 ounces). It had a diameter of 19 millimeters (0.75 inches) and a thickness of 1.52 millimeters (0.060 inches).
Design of the 1949 US Penny
The obverse (front) of the 1949 US penny features a bust of Abraham Lincoln facing to the right. The reverse (back) of the coin features the Union Shield, which is composed of 13 stars and 13 stripes. The shield is surrounded by the words "United States of America" and "One Cent."
History of the 1949 US Penny
The 1949 US penny was the last year that the penny was composed of bronze. In 1950, the penny was changed to a copper-plated zinc composition due to the rising cost of copper. The copper-plated zinc penny is still in circulation today.
The 1949 US penny is a popular coin among collectors. It is one of the most common pennies from the 20th century, and it is also the last year that the penny was composed of bronze.