Expert: PAPAJACK - 9/29/2007

Question
My grandmother moved into a nursing home recently and she gave me her big jar of pennies she used to save.  I was going thru them, and noticed lots of 1962 pennies, other 60's years, and a 1959 penny so far.  Do any of these have value, and if so, is there someplace on the internet I can go to determine where I might be able to sell them?  Thank you.

- Cecilia

Answer
Hello Cecilia,                        

If you can borrow or get a copy of "A Guide Book of UNITED STATES COINS" by R. S. YEOMAN has pictures showing HOW TO DECIDE A COINS QUALITY. This book will guide you through the critical information you need to begin evaluating a US Coin. The pricing in them is not accurate but can be used to sort out any more valuable coins if they are some in the collection. The red or blue books are released each year and sell new for less than $10, a used one is fine or your library will have one.

US Lincoln Cents are collectable. Since the dates after 1944 are still plentiful to collectors in Mint State grades circulated coins are less than ten cents each.

Collectors have devised a numerical grading system for coins. It goes from 1 to 70. With Grade-1 being barely identifiable as a coin and 70 being absolutely perfect. Coins taken from circulation usually fall between grade 8-VG (very Good) and grade 50 (AU Almost Uncirculated).

For grading the Cent look at Lincoln’s bow tie and ear, they wear first.

As for a rough value, it depends on the grade and any damage to the coins (like having been cleaned, nicked, dented scratched etc.).  

The 1909-s VDB, 1909-S, 1910-S, 1911-D, 1911-S, 1914-D, 1914-S, 1915-S, 1921-S and 1922-D OR 1922 no D, 1924-D, 1926-S, 1931-D, 1931-S.
THESE ARE ALL KEY OR SEMI-KEY DATES FOR Lincoln cents. There are some others as well though.  

A post 1940 issue date coin can retail to collectors from .10 to .25  cents in circulated grades. But a dealer will pay less. Virtually all circulated cents made after 1945 will sell for 3 to 5 cents each in bulk.

1941-D, 1948-D, 1952-D, 1953-D, 1956-D, 1959-D, 1968-D, 1963-D and 1986-D as well as 1934, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1948, 1955 and 1979 cents .15 to $1.50 to a collector depending on grade and eye appeal.

Or since you say none of the coins are older than 1960, You can simply ask 3 to 5 times face value on the jar of coins and try eBay having the buyer pay a set shipping price.

Do not try to clean the coins in any way. Learning to estimate the grade of the coins and noting any cleaning or mishandling is the key to finding the value.  

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack