Iv'e noticed that a few years of issues of canadian (2002 2003 maybe more years) are magnetic - primarily ones marrked on the face side with a "P" seems 2 issues where made - those without the "P" that are copper and are obviously do not have any magnetic properties and the ones with the mark that do. Otherwise seem identicle.
Anybody know any info on this or what's inside them (iron?steel? nickel?) any websites?
canadian coin denominations below $1 (not just pennies) are made from multi-ply plated steel blanks and have been since as early as 1999 (for testing purposes). depending on the denomination, they have been exclusively plated steel since 2000 to 2003. you can tell which are by the small "P" under the queen's bust (no… not THAT bust…) on the coin's obverse side.
the plating process is acid-based and is thin layers of copper and nickel (order of plating depends on the denomination) over the steel blank. but the coin is primarily steel (usually 95%).
if you go to Mint site and look under "Coin Production" you can find more information. I took mine from the Charlton Coin Catalogue
This topic has been locked by a moderator.