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-24-
FOR BETTER OR WORSE:
“Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination
to the Lord.” (Proverbs 20:10)
THE DEVALUATION OF THE CENT
The Coinage Act of 1792
264 grains Copper
Act of January 14, 1793
208 grains Copper
“The American cents do not answer our expectations.
The chain on the reverse is but a bad omen for Liberty,
And Liberty herself appears to be in a fright . . .” from a letter
Printed in the Boston Argus, March 26, 1793. (Yeoman, 62)
Act of January 26, 1796
168 grains Copper
Act of February 21, 1857
72 grains Copper-Nickel
Act of April 22, 1864
48 grains Bronze
(95 percent Copper, 5 percent Tin and Zinc)
1943
Zinc coated steel
1944
95 percent Copper, 5 percent Zinc
1982
Copper-plated Zinc (Core 99.2 Zinc,
.8 Copper) Total: 97.6 Zinc,
2.4 Copper
