Expert: PAPAJACK - 10/18/2008

Question
how much is the penny worth

Answer
Hello Virginia,       

Most circulated coins range from Good (grade-G4) to Almost Un-circulated (grade-AU50) on the scale. They usually sell for less than Fifty Cents in grades less than 40.

Lincoln Head Cents made from 1909 to 1933 are worth a bit more in most grades:  
For grading the Cent Lincolns bow tie and ear wear first.
Wheat cents were minted from 1909 to 1958, at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. If you see a "D" below the date, the coin was minted in Denver. If you see an "S" below the date, the coin was minted in San Francisco. If there is no letter below the date the coin was minted in Philadelphia.

A cent from these years in a lower grade (4 to 30) will sell for less than .50 cents each. Their value is all in their state of preservation. (As little as .15 cents each). If they show full details on the Jaw, Bow Tie and Wheat Heads they are much more collectable and sell from $3 to $7 dollars in grades from 30 to 55.

For example;
A Philadelphia issue 1909 cent in circulated condition sells from $1.00 to $3.00 dollars. A 1940 Philadelphia issue coin can sell from .10 to 50 in circulated grades. For pre 1940 Lincoln Cents there are only a few valuable circulated condition coins to look for.

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.
The above dates and mintmarks are all key and semi key-date Lincoln cents. There are some others as well.

A post 1940 issue date coin can retail to collectors from .10 to .50 cents in circulated grades. But a dealer will pay less. Virtually all circulated cents made after 1945 will sell for 3 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 your
1934, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1948, 1955 and 1979 cents .15 to $1.50 to a collector depending on grade and eye appeal.

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. See if you can borrow or use at your library a copy of the book titled "A Guide Book of U. S. Coins" by R.S. Yeoman, has pictures showing the difference. Or if you can get to a Coin Show in your area I'm sure that you will find your coin types are readily available for examination.

I can only give you a range of prices for a 1917 Philadelphia Mint cent.

Good (Grade 4) = .20

Very Good (Grade-8) = .25

Fine (grade-12) = .30

Extremely Fine (grade-40) = 2.50

Almost Un-circulated (Grade-50) = $8.00

The Denver and San Francisco mint coins are worth more than the Philadelphia coin. With the Denver mint coin most valuable half for 1917.

If there any more information you require on this question just ask.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack