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I know that some people buy pennies by the pound, and was wondering what a fair price is. I know the actual amount depends of the ratio of copper to zinc, but overall, what would be a fair price to offer someone for a bunch of pennies?

well there are approx 150 copper pennies per pound and 180 zinc per pound. If there is a 25% ratio in your area that's 37.5 coppers and 135 zincs in there or about 172.5 per pound so just go from there. I tell people 1.50per pound I pay. If they're all copper better yet. If they're all zinc that's ok too

$1.60 a pound seems to be the going offer to buy rate on craigslist.

Thanks, that's about what I figured. Last night I bought 11.5 lbs for 19.00, which works out to $1.65/lb, but that's fine because it was my cousin (who is also a good friend). I wanted to give him a fair price. I actually offered him 1.70, but we played around with the scale for a while and he said 1.65. Anybody else, I'd probably go 1.60 (or maybe even try for 1.50-1.55).

I would only pay face value. If someone is desperate enough to need cash; they would accept the offer. Unless that person is a hoarder also. Then you will have difficulty. I know a hoarder that hoards wheat pennies. She has over 10000. She will not part with them.

That seems to be what I've found in my limited experience. The people who have massive amounts of old pennies have at least a little "hoarder blood" in them. My uncle has a small barrel full of them that he's been saving for probably 30+ years, but he has no intention of getting rid of them.

i would say the most solid number on average per pound is 147

^^^^ yes if they were all copper