Expert: Dan Moore - 12/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: I want to know how much my coin is worth. It is a penny missing the back, completly blank. the year on it reads 1940, i assume it is supposed to be a wheat penny, but the back is gone, and i do not know if their is a way to tell from the front.

It is not in great condition, mostly just dirty and aged. There are some scratches on the blank side, pefectly strait and of to one side. Other than that it isn't really messed up.

ANSWER: Lynden,

Someone has mechanically ground off the back side of your coin -- probably for use in a magician's coin.

Unfortunately, as such, it has no collector value.

Dan


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: how much are wheat penny worth, is there a scale, like for year and condition? If so could you enlighten me a little.

Answer
Generally speaking, circulated wheat pennies are worth 2 to 3 cents apiece.  Prettymuch anything dated 1934 or newer, or anything from 1910 or newer without a "D" or "S below the date, will only be worth this much.

There are certain rare date & mintmark combinations that are worth more.  Retail values are listed here :

http://www.numismedia.com/fmv/prices/lnccnt/pricesgd.shtml

Dan