Realcent.org

I posted this here because this seems more of a copper "bullion" issue than a foreign coin issue.

Anyone have any thoughts on what purity of copper coin is worthwhile hoarding? Are some of the alloys out there pretty much worthless, like the AlBr & NiBr. Bronzes and Brasses at 95% and 97% purity are common. Is 95%+ CU pretty much the way to go?

If it's brown, keep it. (95% copper or more, as a rule of thumb)

If it's yellow, toss it. (less than 95% copper)

What brass coins have a Cu over 95%?

Canadian pennies, pre-1997, are 98% copper content. The weights vary as they made them lighter and lighter over the years before changing over to garbage metal.

I may be confusing my nomenclature. I call any copper alloy with zinc a brass.

Rexor wrote:I may be confusing my nomenclature. I call any copper alloy with zinc a brass.

You are using the correct nomenclature Rexor. Brass is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. Bronze is an alloy of Copper and primarily Tin.
There are many different alloys for each but these are the primary metals used in both Brass and Bronze. A pre-82 penny is Brass.

I love to collect old Mexico cents. I believe these are 95% copper. The ones from the 40s and 50s and such. They are large and somewhat easy to find here in Texas.

I like the Canadian cents 1979 and earlier. 98% copper and they weigh 3.24 grams--slightly heavier than the cu memorial at 3.1 gr.

I also like the old Mexican large Copper coins which I believe are 95% Cu.

20 Centavos 1943 to 1974 each weigh 9.9 grams
50 Centavos 1955 to 1959 at 14 grams each

ZigMeister wrote:I also like the old Mexican large Copper coins ... 50 Centavos 1955 to 1959 at 14 grams each

I love those big old things.