Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 3/10/2005

Question
I found these pennies when I started my spring cleaning and I was wondering if they are worth anything.  Here are the dates on these coins, 1893, 1901, 1892.

Answer
I assume that you have U.S. "Indian head" cents with those dates.  You certainly have found some very old memorabilia and interesting history.  You ask though about value.  If they are normally circulated but nice brown pieces that look like cents you see in circulation and not cleaned, they would be worth about $1 each or so (could be more if in better condition).  They would be worth considerably more only if in "uncirculated" condition -- meaning that they would have the same color and lack of marks as a new 2005 cent that you would get from the bank would have.  That is very unlikely but possible.  If that's the case, don't put fingerprints on them.  You can't clean or polish them to reach that condition -- the buyers can tell.  For more information about condition, go to www.ebay.com and do a search for 1893 cent or 1901 cent or 1892 cent and see what comes up and look at the pictures and compare them to your cents.  You'll see what comparable pieces are selling for.  Hope that helps, Jim Lawniczak