Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 12/30/2009

Question
I have a penny collection that has a minimum of one penny for each year from 1900 to 2009 some years I have only the "D" (1922) and some years I have all 3 (Plain,D. & S) I have 20 of the steel 1943 and many of the other years I have 5 to 10 of each My question is should I continue this collection and is it of value to pass on to the family?  

Answer
Bill, only you can answer the first question whether you should continue your collection.  In general, coin collecting is a hobby, meant for entertainment and enjoyment.  If you enjoy the collection, then by all means you should continue.  If you're not having fun, then that's a different matter altogether.  As to value, it's hard to say without knowing condition.  However, in general, normal cents with wear do not have all that much value because so many of them were made.  Exceptions would be for the "key" and semi-key coins, say 1909 S VDB, 1909 S, 1911D, 1914D, certainly the "error" 1922 with no D showing (die 2 particularly), 1924D, 1931S, 1955 double die, 1972 double die, 1983 double die and 1984 double die.  Certain coins that are strictly uncirculated and in great as made condition can have substantial value too, but keep in mind you can't do anything to take a regular coin and make it into an uncirculated one (anyone buying one as uncirculated would be able to tell).  So don't try anything to "improve" your collection, you'll only decrease its value.  To get an idea of what coins are trading for, try going to www.ebay.com and doing searches for the coins you are interested in, like 1911S cent or 1911S penny and you'll see  many for sale, usually with pictures.  Hope this helped, Jim Lawniczak