Expert: PAPAJACK - 3/12/2008

Question
I gave my son a penny that was given to him by my father. The penny is in one of those square cover things.  Anyway, the coin is a 1900 penny.  How do I determine what the value of that coin is?

Thanks

Answer
Hello Megan,                        

The 1900 Indian Head Cent you have usually sells for about a dollar to collectors in worn condition and if they are damaged or have holes they are not useful to collectors.

I hang on to many in lower grades they are history in your hands. It has been so long that all younger people forget there was ever anything besides the Lincoln cent. I often give examples of these Indian cents to children in holders (so they don’t get spent).

All coins are valued on a scale from 1 to 70. Most circulated coins range from Good (grade-G4) to Almost Un-circulated (grade-AU50) on the scale. For a quick grade look for the diamond shape on the hair ribbon and all the letters in the headband these features wear down first in circulation. Less than 3 letters is a low grade.  

For higher grades where you can see the word LIBERTY in the headband they can sell for 2 to 4 dollars each and up to $7 in Almost Un-circulated grades.  

Good Luck

PapaJack