Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 1/29/2008

Question
I have  1957 D penny with the 7 far to the right , I also have a 1934 penny .   want to give them to my kids to save.  are they worth it?

Answer
Value of most coins is very dependant on condition.  If the 1934 cent is in very nice pristine uncirculated condition, as made, it would be worth in the range of $5.  If in very circulated condition, it would really have no value above face.  You can go to www.ebay.com and do a search for 1934 cent and 1934 penny and see what comes up for sale, look at the pictures and compare them to your piece.  You cannot by cleaning (etc) increase the value of your piece, if you try you will only decrease value.  Without seeing the cent with the "7" to the far right, I cannot tell if you have a mint error.  Perhaps your cent was struck a bit off center.  You can try going to www.ebay.com and doing searches for off center cent and 1957D cent to see what is for sale.  However, unless the off center strike is obvious, the 1957D cent would not really be worth very much if at all.  Again condition would be important, but even a pristine uncirculated piece would not be worth all that much.  It might be worth a bit more if it is an off center strike.  Hope this helps, Jim Lawniczak