What nickels and pennies are worth hanging onto?

News: Welcome to the Canadian Paper Money Forum.

I believe Canadian pennies 1996 and earlier are worth keeping for copper content and Canadian nickels 1983 and earlier are worth hanging onto for their nickel content
but does anyone know which years the US cents are worth hanging onto, if at all.
(Please correct me if I am wrong in my above assumptions)
Thx in advance

You are correct about the Canadian pennies and nickels.  Pre 1996 for pennies is 98% copper which is worth holding onto.  Pre 1981 for nickels is 99.9% nickel which is also worth holding onto.  For american pennies pre 1982 is 95% copper and worth holding onto.  Be careful with the 1982 ones though as some are copper and some are zinc.  Copper ones weigh 3.1g and zinc ones weigh 2.5g.

You are correct about the Canadian pennies and nickels.  Pre 1996 for pennies is 98% copper which is worth holding onto.  Pre 1981 for nickels is 99.9% nickel which is also worth holding onto.  For american pennies pre 1982 is 95% copper and worth holding onto.  Be careful with the 1982 ones though as some are copper and some are zinc.  Copper ones weigh 3.1g and zinc ones weigh 2.5g.

Thx for the info, but I forgot to ask about US nickels and what year is worth keeping for nickel content

Thx for the info, but I forgot to ask about US nickels and what year is worth keeping for nickel content

American nickels have been made out of 75% copper and 25% nickel since the 1930s (except for the 35% silver nickels of 1942-1945).  Even 2013 ones are 75% copper and 25% nickel.  The melt value is currently below the face value (like with the Canadian 1982-2000 nickels also made of 75% copper and 25% nickel) but its up to you if you want to save them or not.  If you look long term and predict copper and nickel prices to go up then it wouldn't be a bad idea to put some aside (Canadian and American)    The 35% silver American nickels though are worth about a buck or so right now.