As of 16 March Aluminum was going for 1.27 American per pound. Lets say the average can weighs .5 ounce. You would need 32 cans to equal one pound. In NY you get a nickel per can and in some states it is a dime. So 32 cans get you $1.60 which is .33 cents more than selling by weight. If you get a dime it is even a better deal as you get 3.20 which is 1.93 over the weight price.
I think the poundage price comes in for bulk aluminum that is not redeemable in soda can form! I also listed a site where you can find the metal values.
Kitco - Base Metals - Industrial metals - Copper, Aluminum, Nickel, Zinc, Lead - Charts, Prices, Graphs, Quotes, Cu, Ni, Zn, Al, Pb
I don't know that you would get 1.27 per pound at a junk yard or other collectors place as I am not familiar with turning metals in for profit.
I hope this was somewhat helpful!
