Expert: Joe Hylas - 8/15/2008

Question
I have a queistion about old wheat pennies  I dont really understand all the words that collecters use so could you tell me what pennies (wheat) I should look out for, inbetween 1910- (and whenever they started making pennies diffrent) and how to know if there in good condition

Answer
Hi Courtney,

Here are the better dates to look for; the other dates are not worth the time trying to sell.

1909
1909-S
1909-S with VDB on back at bottom by rim
1910-S
1911-D
1911-S
1912
1912-D
1912-S
1913-D
1913-S
1914-D
1914-S
1915
1915-D
1915-S
1922
1922-D
1931-S
1955 double strike (double die)

You will know it is in nice collector condition is you can discern the lines on the wheat ears on the back of the coin.  That is not to say thet they are not worth good money in a lower grade.  For example, the 1922 is worth about $200 even in a low grade.
I suggest you get a copy of the Guidebook to US Coins by R.S. Yeoman
It is a RETAIL price guide, not necessarily what you can expect selling to a dealer, however it will show you which coins are worth substantially more than others.  That is the true value of this book.  It will also show you how to grade the coins for quality purposes.

I hope this helped you.  Good Luck!  And if you feel this did help, please nominate me for Expert of the Month.

Regards
Joe Hylas
www.AllCoins.US