Expert: Brad Swain - 11/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: My uncle has pennies from 1885 or 1886 and seeing as he has no computer asked me to try and find out the value of these pennies that date between 1885 and 1900. They are not indian head.
Tried to look on my own and all I find is links on indian head. Can you shead some light please?

ANSWER: Hi Faith, Indian Head cents were made 1859-1909. No other types were made until the Lincoln cent in 1909.
If you can describe what he has I'll try and help. Perhaps they are British pennies?
U.S. coin prices for professionally graded coins: http://www.pcgs.com/prices/
and ungraded coins: http://www.bestcoin.com/united-states-coin-pricing-guide.htm .
Ungraded coins (raw) are worth less depending on amount of wear and collector demand.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Guidebook of United States Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad

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

QUESTION: Thank you Brad,

I did see the penny this morning and it says 1857. It is not an Indian head, it says one cent on the back. Hard to make out what is on the front. It's not a bird (or at least does not look like one#, not a face, it looks like just a weird angle design on it. It is indeed American #not Canadian or British). I can load a picture if it would help.

Sorry I got the date mixed up. He also has 1909 nickles and quarter dollars as well.

Thank's very much for your time.

Answer
Hi Faith, the Flying Eagle cent was only minted 1856-58 and was a copper-nickel alloy. There were 17.45 million minted in 1857 and collector value may be worth about $20 with heavy wear to around $45 with moderate wear to maybe $130 with light wear.
U.S. coin prices: http://www.bestcoin.com/united-states-coin-pricing-guide.htm .
You might also try a library for a copy of the Guidebook of United States Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad