How to Make Gold Pennies

Learn about the science of alloys: copper + zinc = brass

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Gold Pennies

At first glance there appears to be something a bit strange about a gold penny. First, gold pennies don’t really exist. Modern day alchemists, cleverly disguised as chemistry teachers, often share the secret of making gold pennies. Students take home an unforgettable lesson in alloys and a keepsake penny that can never be put back into circulation.

SAFETY NOTE: This activity requires adult supervision. NaOH should be handled with great care. It is corrosive and can burn skin. Zinc dust should not be inhaled. Safety glasses should be worn throughout this entire activity.

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Here's What You'll Need

  • 20 mL of 6 M NaOH
  • 0.1 g zinc dust
  • Evaporating dish (a glass beaker works great!)
  • Hot plate
  • Tongs
  • 200 mL beaker of water
  • Penny
  • Bunsen burner or a propane torch
  • Safety Glasses
  • Adult supervision

Let's Try It

  1. Put on your safety glasses.

    Pour 20 mL of NaOH solution to the dish.

  2. Add the zinc dust in the dish with the NaOH, and gently swirl the mixture together.

  3. Set the hot plate to medium heat and place the evaporating dish on top.

  4. How to Make Golden Pennies - Step 4

    Heat for 5 minutes. Do not boil. When the dish is hot, place a penny in it. Heat for two minutes or until the penny is coated and becomes silver in appearance.

  5. Remove the penny from the dish with tongs and drop it into water. When cool, wipe the penny clean with a cloth to remove any excess zinc.

  6. How to Make Golden Pennies - Step 6

    Using tongs, hold the penny in the flame of a Bunsen burner and gently heat. The penny should turn “gold” (brass). (Do not overheat the penny.)

  7. Gold Pennies

    Dip the penny in the beaker of water until it is cool to the touch.

How Does It Work

Even though it’s a “gold” penny, the US Treasury has a little problem with people trying to buy something with gold pennies. In 1983, the US Treasury started making pennies with a zinc core with a copper coating… turns out they weigh less and cost less to make than their pre-1983 counterparts, which were made with an alloy of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

In this activity, soaking the penny in the zinc solution actually coats the surface of the penny with zinc atoms. When the zinc covered penny is heated, the copper atoms of the penny and the zinc atoms coating the penny mix and turn gold in color. This mixing of metals is an alloy called “yellow brass.”

Artists often work with alloys like bronze, steel, or brass because of their durability and color. Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin. Brass, made in the activity above, is a mixture of zinc and copper. Steel is made of iron and carbon. Alloys are used to make coins, jewelry, sculptures, and other items.

Take It Further

Alternative Method Using Zinc Chloride

  1. Mix together 1.0 grams of granular zinc, and 25 ml of 1 M zinc chloride solution in a clean evaporating dish.
  2. Gently heat the mixture to steaming but do not let it splatter.
  3. Using tongs, immerse two pennies in the mixture until it is completely coated with “silver”.
  4. Use tongs to remove the penny. The penny will be very hot.
  5. Rinse the penny in water and shine it with a towel. The penny should now appear silver. Do not touch the penny with your fingers. The oils on your hand will ruin the reactions in the following step.
  6. Using tongs, gently heat the penny in the burner flame until the penny turns gold. Immediately rinse the penny with water. The penny will be extremely hot and should be handled with tongs until it has cooled for several minutes.

Safety Information

SAFETY NOTE: This activity requires adult supervision. NaOH should be handled with great care. It is corrosive and can burn skin. Zinc dust should not be inhaled. Safety goggles should be worn throughout this entire activity.

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