Anyone ever get em in change? It seems like in my area there's about 1 in every 3 or 4 dollars worth of pennies, but they're usually the common dates like 1944 or 1956.

Anyone ever get em in change? It seems like in my area there's about 1 in every 3 or 4 dollars worth of pennies, but they're usually the common dates like 1944 or 1956.


I've gotten a few in change in the past. I think I also got a hold of a couple from coin shops.

Anyone ever get em in change? It seems like in my area there's about 1 in every 3 or 4 dollars worth of pennies, but they're usually the common dates like 1944 or 1956.
YUP!  I look for them!  Haven't looked at dates though. Do you collect?

YUP!  I look for them!  Haven't looked at dates though. Do you collect?


I collect em, got all the 1940 to 1958 dates.  Dates to look after include the 1909, 1909 "S", 1909 "S" with VDB on back, 1914 "D", 1922, 1922 "D", and 1931 "S".  The others are typically worth a bit over face value to a few bucks. 

I collect em, got all the 1940 to 1958 dates.  Dates to look after include the 1909, 1909 "S", 1909 "S" with VDB on back, 1914 "D", 1922, 1922 "D", and 1931 "S".  The others are typically worth a bit over face value to a few bucks. 
Thanks for the information!  I'll check out the ones I have and let you know how I make out.  My father was a numisnatist, with a 4-digit member#.  Unfortunately, they liquidated to a dealer without including that intention to us.  He had some oldies of course, and a few bad strikes, etc. 8)

Thanks for the information!  I'll check out the ones I have and let you know how I make out.  My father was a numisnatist, with a 4-digit member#.  Unfortunately, they liquidated to a dealer without including that intention to us.  He had some oldies of course, and a few bad strikes, etc. 8)


You're welcome!  A note on mint marks: With wheat cents there might be an "S" or "D" right below the date, coins without it are generally made at the Philadelphia mint while D coins are made in Denver and S coins made in San Francisco. 

Here's the quotes for the most valuable dates out of my 2005 price guide (made in '04 so it's a tad outdated):

Good (G-4) :  Date worn but apparent. Lines in wheat heads missing. Full rims.
Very Good (VG-8) : Half of lines show in upper wheat heads.
Fine (F-12) : Wheat lines worn but visible.
Very Fine (VF-20) : Cheek and jaw bones worn but separated. No worn spots on wheat heads.
Extremely Fine (EF-40) : Slight wear. All details sharp.
About Uncirculated (AU-50) : Slight wear on Lincoln's cheek and jaw and on the wheat stalks. (tough for noncollectors and novices to detect, I have trouble finding it myself)

Uncirculated (MS-60) : No trace of wear. Light blemishes or discoloration.
Select Uncirculated (MS-63) : No trace of wear. Slight blemishes. Red-Brown color.
Choice Uncirculated (MS-65) : No trace of wear. Barely noticeable blemishes. Nearly full red color.

Any higher grading coins may be much more valuable, or may not.  Also note, if you have a proof coin, which will look reflective if a later date, it will be more valuable than a regular coin of its date. Any damaged or cleaned coins will be worth less: DO NOT CLEAN ANY COINS!

Quotes for the Most Valuable Dates in US Dollars
Date              G-4      VG-8      F-12    VF-20    EF-40    AU-50    MS-60    MS-63   
1909            1.50      1.75      2.00      2.50      3.50        $8        15        20   
1909 VDB    4.00      4.50      5.00      5.50      6.50        $8        13        16
1909 S          $60      65        80        120      175      200        225      275   
1909 S VDB  $460    550      620        700      750      850      1000    1300
1910 S        $7.50      9          11        14        28        60        80        100
1911 D            5        6          8          14        40        65        90        120
1911 S          $17      18        20        24        45        80        150      250
1912 D          $6        6.25      8          20        50        75        135      200
1912 S          12          14      16        20        50        75        125      175 
1913 S          7            8        9          14        35        70        135        240
1914 D        $120        160      220      280      525      900      1200      2200
1914 S        $10          12        13        22        48      125        250      450
1915 S        6              7        8          12        40      130        160      235   
1922 D        8            9          11        14        25        40          80      130 
1922 No D  $400      500      650      800      1650    3000      5750    20000
1922 Weak D$32      38        50        75        175      210        350      600
1924 D        12        15        18        30          85        160        275      325
1931 D        $2.75    3          3.75      4.50        9          30        55        85
1931 S        $50      55          60        65        75          85        90        100
1955 Doubled
Die Obv        ?        ?            ?          900      1000      1100    1250    2400 (MS-65 is $30,000)


A few other dates can be valuable in high grades.

Whoa that took a long time to type!  ;D

-DR  :)

I've gotten buffalo nickles, mercury dimes and Franklin halves in change before...  :)

I've gotten buffalo nickles, mercury dimes and Franklin halves in change before...  :)


What dates?  Unless they're super nice or errors none of the Franklin halves are valuable, but the Mercs and Buffaloes can be.

I have no idea what dates they are. They are tucked away somewhere. Most of the old coins I have are always the years that are only worth face value. I do have an 1878 gold dollar tho'

I have no idea what dates they are. They are tucked away somewhere. Most of the old coins I have are always the years that are only worth face value. I do have an 1878 gold dollar tho'


1878 is a good date! If it's not cleaned or damaged and it's lightly worn it is worth $250 to $600!  If uncirculated it's worth $750 at the least to thousands of dollars. Only 3,020 of those suckers made and I'd guess maybe 2,000 are extant today.

Franklin halves are worth their silver value, which is about $2-$3 in today's market.  Buffalos are worth 8 cents to a dollar if they're common dates, unless they are Uncirculated.

I have got a bunch of these. That was the first coin I started collecting-getting them in change. I think my oldest may be a 1920 but I could be wrong. I haven't really organized my pennies too much. That's another project among many.




Cat

I have got a bunch of these. That was the first coin I started collecting-getting them in change. I think my oldest may be a 1920 but I could be wrong. I haven't really organized my pennies too much. That's another project among many.




Cat


1920's are worth about a nickel to a quarter maybe.  Check for a 1931 S and high grade 20's and 30's.  Also check for the dates I listed above.
If you want to, that is :)

-DR  ;)

Have you ever put coins on a rail road track?

;DI have a very worn one from the teens;forgot what year.I have a Mercury dime and a buffalo nickel that's so worn i can't tell what date it is.But i like them.Cheers!

I have an 1830 half penny no country stamped on it and a canadian half penny 192? last digit can't make out.

I have an 1830 half penny no country stamped on it and a canadian half penny 192? last digit can't make out.


I don't do world coins, so I don't know what that is worth  :-[ Sorry.

-DR  :)

My brother's got a collection of various coins that were appraised for around $6K (I think). 


Whoa!  Before I sold part of my collection, which I'm going to rebuild with money from the sale it was worth about $1,300.  Now it's more like $800.

I went through some of my pennies today (with the Red Book at my side). Since I really don't do too well on the grading, I am putting them at the lowest possible grade. Which mean that most of my wheat back pennies are worth about 10 cents each.  ::)  I did find a few 1955 but they weren't the double die. BUMMER. If they were, I would be rich right now.  ;D Oh well. BTW, DevoRule, which pricing guide were you quoting. There are several of them-the Red Book (my favorite), the Black Book (my least favorite), and the Blue Book. I'm sure there are others but those are the ones that I know of.




Cat

I went through some of my pennies today (with the Red Book at my side). Since I really don't do too well on the grading, I am putting them at the lowest possible grade. Which mean that most of my wheat back pennies are worth about 10 cents each.  ::)  I did find a few 1955 but they weren't the double die. BUMMER. If they were, I would be rich right now.  ;D Oh well. BTW, DevoRule, which pricing guide were you quoting. There are several of them-the Red Book (my favorite), the Black Book (my least favorite), and the Blue Book. I'm sure there are others but those are the ones that I know of.




Cat


I use the Red Book :)  The most valuable coin I've found in a grab bag of wheats was worth about $5.  Not bad considering I only paid about $15 for the whole thing.

I use the Red Book :)  The most valuable coin I've found in a grab bag of wheats was worth about $5.  Not bad considering I only paid about $15 for the whole thing.



For the longest time (ok, about 10 years) I was using the 1995 Red Book. I figured after 10 years, it was time to replace it. I FINALLY got the 1995 one. So, I will probably get a new on in 2015.  ;)




Cat

For the longest time (ok, about 10 years) I was using the 1995 Red Book. I figured after 10 years, it was time to replace it. I FINALLY got the 1995 one. So, I will probably get a new on in 2015.  ;)




Cat


If you were using 1995 the prices are way too low.  Coins were cold in the 90s but are hot today.

If you were using 1995 the prices are way too low.  Coins were cold in the 90s but are hot today.



I am aware of that. But I do have the latest version of the book now.





Cat

I am aware of that. But I do have the latest version of the book now.





Cat


Good :)

-DR