"David Biddulph" groups [at] biddulph.org.uk wrote in message
...
"Offramp" wrote in message
ps.com...
I carry a magnet with me. I noticed yesterday that new 1p and 2p
pieces stuck to the magnet like poo-poo to a blanket. A friend of mine
whose name is Mr Wonderful told me that coppers have been made of
steel since 1986!
I told him that he was full of the stuff that sticks to blankets the
same way that pennies stick to magnets. Who is right?

1p and 2p have been copper-plated steel since September 1992 (except for
1998 when some 2p coins were made of bronze and some of copper-plated
steel).
http://www.royalmint.com/Corporate/B...gn/2pCoin.aspx
http://www.royalmint.com/Corporate/B...gn/1pCoin.aspx

And the metal value of the earlier coins is more than their currency
value.

It is illegal to melt them down for their metal and according to
one newspaper report the Mint will most definately prosecute
you if you do (though the report failed to mention how the Mint
could possibly know that you were doing it)

tim