Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 7/30/2008

Question
I got this penny that was stuck in a bigger token around it from a coin store. It had an address from new york city. The penny was an old wheatback. The token said the name of a advertising company And "Keep me and you will have good luck". Could it be worth anything?

Answer
Yes, these are indeed encased cents (my speciality) and do have value.  There is an "encased coin" category on eBay.  If you go to www.ebay.com, and go a search for encased cent or encased coin, you'll see quite a few come up for sale.  Who the merchant is, what business it is in, the condition of the piece, how interesting it is and how common it is go into value.  Most encased pieces with advertising will sell in the range of $5 to $20.  If you respond with a further description (exactly what does it say on the advertising side -- that's way more interesting than the stock Keep Me and You Will Have Good Luck side (although it tells me that you have a round shaped piece), I may be able to help you further, thanks, Jim Lawniczak