How To Make A Glowing Penny

Step 1: Equipment

Here's how to make a really weird glowing penny. First you need a propane torch, a small glass jar, a piece of copper wire, some acetone. You're also going to need a penny made before 1982. From 1962 till 1982 pennies were 95% copper and 5% zinc, and from 1982 till present they're 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper. This is important in this experiment.

Step 2: Shaping The Copper

Take the copper wire and shape it into a cradle that can hold a penny because you're going to have to heat it up in a second. Then pour a small amount of acetone in the jar, just enough to be below the penny.

Step 3: Heat It Up!

Then fire up your propane torch and start heating the penny up. You might want to use a pair of pliers or some gloves to hold onto the copper wire because it's going to get hot.

When the penny is nice and hot go ahead and lay it in the glass jar and turn out the lights. This makes a really weird effect and it lasts a pretty long time. And that's how you make a glowing penny!