What's That Penny Really Worth?
A Look at Copper…

Recent news reports have suggested that the value of the copper alloy contained within the U.S. one cent piece actually costs more than the value of the penny itself. Indeed, copper has risen in value as a commodity in recent times, an upward trend that is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.

Copper in fact is the metal that has been used by human beings for the longest period of time. The origins of the human use of copper dates back as far as 10,000 years. The oldest example of copper use by human is 10,000 years ago in Iraq. Copper was used to create a pendant at that time.

Copper was used in plumbing as long as 5,000 years ago, in Egypt. The ancient copper plumbing system is located in the famous Pyramid of Cheops. The Dead Sea Scrolls were inscribed on copper plates. A copper frying pan that is also 5,000 years old is in a museum's collection in the United States.

With its rising value, more and more people have become interested in copper as an investment and as a commodity. With this in mind, a good number of men and women do not have a great deal of even basic information about copper.

Historically, copper has been called "man's eternal metal." For generations, copper has widely been used -- and continues to be extensively utilized in today's world. Considering a baby born in the United States in the 21st century: throughout the course of his or her life, this person will utilize about 1,500 pounds of copper … not counting the spare change he or she may cart about from time to time.

In addition to being used by itself, copper commonly is alloyed with other metals. For example, when copper is alloyed with zinc brass is created. Similarly, when copper is alloyed with tin, bronze is made. Both brass and bronze are widely used, both historically and in today's world.

The typical home in the United States -- as well as in many other similarly situated countries the world over -- contains on average 400 pounds of copper in its makeup. This includes copper that is utilized in popes, appliances as well as electrical wiring.

Nearly 8,000 million pounds of copper is mined annually in the United States. The lion's share of the copper that is mined each year is used in construction. Nearly fifty percent of all copper consumed in the United States is used in construction.

In addition to the significant amount of copper that is used in construction, nearly 25% of the copper mined in the United States is used in electronics. About 10% of the copper mined in the United States is used in each of the following areas:

About 10% of the copper mined in the United States is exported. The amount of copper that is being exported from the United States has been decreasing in recent years -- due largely to the ever growing demand for the metal within the U.S.A.

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