Welcome to the LCF... Everyone starts out as "That Guy" LOL... You'll learn as time goes on... Up until mid 1982 all lincoln cents except the 1942 were a solid mix of copper and zinc/tin... 1942 were zinc plated steel... In mid 1982 the cents were switched to copper plated zinc... I can not remember the weight of the 1942 cents but the 1909 thru mid 1982 were 3.11 +/- 0.13 grams and after mid 1982 they are 2.5 grams... Here is a little info 31 U.S Code 5112 5113 that covers pre mid 1982... I need to re-find the info for post mid 1982 and 1942!!!