Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1970s pennies

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Expert: - 3/5/2010


Question

1970s4
I have four 1970s pennies and have looked over them closely.  I have clicked on the site that you recommended and compared them to them.  I am in a learning curve and have been trying to see the special things you pro's do.  Thought you might could look at them and teach me a thing or two.
Thanks so much

Answer
Hi Judy:

Thanks for asking me to answer your question.

I'm not sure exactly what you wanted to know about the four coins you photographed. I saved your photo to a file and enlarged it. The coins were too small to get a good, clear magnification, so I was unable to definitely determine if they were all the same size, but my best guess would be that they appear to be large dates. The "0" looks like it comes above the top of the "7". Three of the coins appear to be uncirculated, and the darker one circulated, likely a brown extra fine. That coin looks like it has a die break (blob) in the date, which would be a minor error.

A recent issue of "Coin Values" magazine gives a retail value of $20 to $25 for an uncirculated small date 1970S cent, and $0.10 to $0.15 for a large date. The minor error large date with the blob date would have about a value of $1 to $2 to an interested collector.

See link to distinguish between large and small dates as well as other errors and varieties: http://lincolncentresource.com/smalldates/1970Ssmalldate.html

To grade your coins, see: http://www.usacoinshop.com/lincolncents.html

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.  

Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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