 The Z-Series was devised to make available to collectors and
consumers a limited number of pre-production and pilot run
lighters crafted from innovative materials or in the experimental
stages of development. These inaugural prototype lighters are
made only once. Once the material, processes, and production
method have been refined, the
lighter either becomes a
production run item with the
standard bottom stamping, or the
decision is made not to put the
lighter into production.
An exclusive Z-Series bottom
stamp authenticates each
pre-production prototype. Laser marking on the open side of
the lighter identifies the region of distribution: ZC for Zippo
Click members, A for the Americas, E for European markets,
or AP for Asia and Pacific Rim region. Each Z-Series lighter
is packaged in an acrylic self-display dome with a numbered
Scroll of Authenticity.
In 2003 Zippo introduced the Copper Project, the first lighter in the Z-Series. The 99.9% pure copper used in the Copper Project is softer and more fragile than brass, and requires a more delicate production process. Approximately 20,000 Copper Project lighters were manufactured and allocated for worldwide distribution.
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