Rare Pennies You Should Hold Onto... Including The 1943 Penny
I get a lot of queries for the following: 1943 wheat penny, 1943 steel penny, 1943 silver penny, 1943 Lincoln penny, 1943 copper penny, and 1943 penny value. Geesh... I guess you all have a bunch of 1943 pennies in your possession!
I did a little research... What follows are a number of rare pennies you should hold onto if you ever come across them in loose change or coin collections.
Let's start with the 1943 penny:
1943 Penny
In recent years a "1943 S" (San Francisco Mint) copper coin has gone for about $60,000 dollars at auction. I remember the prices from the P (Philadelphia) mint ranging from around $10,000 many years ago to $73,000 in recent times. There are many counterfeits of this coin. Source
The easiest way to determine if a 1943 one cent is made of steel, and not copper, is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it is not copper and is worth about 50 cents. If it does not stick, the coin might be of copper and should be authenticated by an expert. Source
Is your penny a copper or zinc cent?
Only forty 1943 copper-alloy cents are known to remain in existence. Coin experts speculate that they were struck by accident when copper-alloy 1-cent blanks remained in the press hopper when production began on the new steel pennies. Source
1974 Penny
In 1974, as a test, there were 1,579,324 Pennies made of pure Aluminum struck (produced) by the U.S. Mint. These were never circulated and most were later destroyed. Source
1955 Penny
Sometimes a penny is worth more than a penny. If you think you're seeing double, save that coin. A 1955 penny has a "double-die date." In uncirculated condition -- not a blemish on it -- it's worth about $27,000. Even in less than perfect condition it'll fatten your bank account to the tune of $570. Source
1936 Penny
In uncirculated condition, it would be priced at $6-$10 retail, but even the slightest wear is going to drop the value down to about 25 cents. Source
1924-S Penny
If the coin is circulated, it is worth between 25c and $10. If it is in mint condition, it could be worth $100 or more. Source
1909 Penny
Lincoln pennies made from 1909 to 1958 were designed by Victor D. Brenner. His initials V.D.B. were on a limited quantity of the 1909 pennies making it one of the most sought after pennies for collecting. Source
1877 Penny
The 1877 is considered the most crucial key date of the Indian Head cent series. The coin has demonstrated moderate to strong gains in just about every condition over time frames short and long. Source
1856 Penny
The inaugural small cent, the 1856 Flying Eagle cent had a mintage of only 1000. The addition of an 1856 cent in any acceptable condition is a prudent buy. Source
1844 Penny
A "Braided Hair Large Cent" was just an everyday penny back in 1844. If it is circulated, it is probably worth between $7 and $80. Source
1793 Penny
The most "expensive" penny is a rare one minted in 1793. Only four are known to exist today and their worth is estimated at more than $275,000. Source
1792 Penny
The chocolate-colored penny, the ninth known example of its type, bears the date 1792, an inscription "Parent of Science & Industry: Liberty" and the likeness of a woman's head representing Miss Liberty. Source
About Silver Pennies...
How To Find The True Value Of YOUR Penny:
1. Check online:
Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers
Professional Coin Grading Service
2. Check a coin pricing guide:
RELATED:
Rare Lincoln-Kennedy Penny
Rare U.S. Coins: Which Nickels, Pennies, Dimes & Quarters To Keep
i have a 1943 medal penny it might have a s under it !
i have a 1927 pennie end on the back the of head it has 3 square sides could tell something about this pennie is it worth anythings
thank you
HI THERE. IVE BEEN COLLECTING A FEW COINS AND MY FAVS ARE THE INDIAN HEAD PENNIES. BUT MY MOST FAVORITES ARE THE ERRORS. IVE GOT AN 1863 THAT WEIGHS IN AT 4.3GRAMS IT HAS AN INCUSED ONE CENT ON THE OBVERSE, AND THE REVERSE HAS QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT AREAS THAT APPEAR TO HAVE SOME LETTERING AND LIKEWISE ON THE OBVERSE, AND SOME SILVER RAISED METAL IN THIS LETTERING. IM NOT SURE WHAT ALL IS GOING ON WITH THIS COIN. CAN YOU HELP ME? "THANKS" REESE
Mano,
Your 1985 piece sounds typical of a very nice, perhaps uncirculated, copper-plated zinc Lincoln cent, which was first made in 1982. Copper-plated zinc cents (virtually all made since 1982 are copper-plated zinc) do look brighter and lighter-colored than the copper Lincoln cents made before 1982.
Your 1985 without a mintmark is a Philadelphia coin (all one-cent coins without mintmarks have been made in Philadelphia) and is worth about 10-25 cents in typical uncirculated grades. Any regular copper-plated zinc Lincoln cent is worth face value if worn.
I have a 1985 Penny, In great shape, almost Mint, slightly marked. It has a color which is slightly between Silver and Gold. It is far brighter than a Copper Penny. It has no Mint mark, and is slightly brighter than a New $1 president coin. I think it might be an unplated coin. What could it be worth?
I have a 1985d penny, the lincoln memorial on the back however is double stamped. Anyone know it's worth?
J.R.W.,
That mainly has to do with the natural toning process cents go through. Copper (which is the plating on the coin) is notorious for toning, especially in hot, humid environments or near fumes and heat.
Albe,
It's possible that your Lincoln cent does not have its copper coating; cents made since 1982 have a zinc core, which could look and feel like aluminum.
If that is the case, your coin is an "error" coin and could be worth anywhere from $5-10 for a piece that is partially coated to $75+ for a piece with no copper coating at all. However, if your coin was simply dipped -- like in mercury or another metal -- then the coin is numismatically worthless.
i have penies that are bright copper colored and then some that look new but are more tan/gold color why is that?
Hello, First I am glad I found this site. Great infor.
I have a 1985D penny. I think it is Aluminum it is very lite in weight, and its not coated, I checked. I just need some directions as to who to contact to get more infro. Thanks. Albe477
The U.S. Mint experimented with aluminum cents in 1974 but never officially released them; virtually all were destroyed.
In all my years of reading, studying, and following coins, coin news, and coin history, I have never heard of a 1978 aluminum cent. I have, however, heard of and seen photos of cents dipped in mercury; these can look very much as if they are aluminum. At any rate, if a coin is dipped in aluminum, it effectively becomes "altered" and loses its numismatic value.
I have a silver colored 1978 penny. I was told it could be aluminum. Can you tell me something about this penny. I have had it since 1978. I found it in my change and kept it. It is in outstanding condition. One coin collector told me it could be worth $250 to $2500 if it is aluminum. Please contact me and let me know about this penny.
Thanks
Probably the best way to tell if your cent is gold layered is to weigh it. If it is heavier than 3.11 grams, metal was added to it -- it was plated. But I tend to doubt your cent was gold plated; I just posed it as a theory.
Hello how would i know if it is covered in gold?
Hi, Blake:
The brighter color can be due to a number of things. I have seen many brightly colored copper cents (yellowish red, gold-colored, etc.). The color can be due to the way it was stored and even the wash the metal went through before being minted into a coin. Though, I can't say exactly what happened in the case of your particular coin, unless it actually was gold plated....Then it becomes a novelty coin without any numismatic value.
You say you know for sure your piece is a double-die. If it is, then it's worth at least $700-800 provided the coin has not been cleaned or damaged in any way.
A typical 1927 Buffalo in low to mid-range circulated grades is worth about $2-3, more or less (less if very heavily worn, a little more if worn but still bearing the many of the details).
Hello i have a 1955 penny. Is is goldest brass colored. It looks like it doesn't have any zink or copper in it. And i know it is a double-die date one. It is in like almost mint condition. Insted of it being orange is is gold colored. Can u explane to me what is is and how much is it worth.
I also have a buffalo nickle in 1927 is is in alright condition what is that worth.
Thank you
Spencer,
A 1943-S cent in typical worn grades is worth around 25-75 cents, as long as it is not corroded, cleaned, bent, or otherwise damaged.
how much is a 1943 S steel penny worth?
Hi, Brian --
Double-check that 1963, because San Francisco did not make any pennies that year for circulation. It may be a "D" or a raised smudge...
The 1939-S is worth 10-25 cents in typical, well-worn grades. The other coins are worth face value if worn.
While it is getting harder to find San Francisco-minted coins in circulation, the ones you listed are not rare and, in fact, are considered highly common by collectors.
I have pennies from 1939, 1963, 1971 and 1972. They are all minted in San Francisco and are in good condition. What are they worth? Are they rare?
Hello again, Blake --
Also, the pennies that DON'T have a mint mark are those which are made in Philadelphia....
The "P" mint mark is a fairly recent invention, only appearing on some nickels made in 1942, all nickels made 1943-1945, dollars since 1979, and nickels, dimes, quarters, and half-dollars, since 1980.
Blake,
The "D" and "S" are mint marks -- they are letters that represent the mint which struck the coin. There actually are eight possible mint marks on U.S. coins, but there are only three which we will ordinarily find on modern coins circulating today:
"D" - Denver
"P" - Philadelphia
"S" - San Francisco
Normally, new "P" coins circulate in the eastern U.S., and newer "D" coins are found in the western half; therefore it can be more difficult to find a new "P" coin in the western states, and finding a new "D" coin in the eastern states is about equally as difficult.
I would easily say the "rarest" mint mark of the three listed above (and found among circulating coins today) is the San Francisco mint mark. Your best chance of finding an "S" mint mark on a circulating coin right now is on some of the Lincoln cents from 1968-1974. The S mint mark also appears on some Susan B. Anthony dollars minted from 1979-1981. The San Francisco mint now spends the bulk of its operating time minting "proof" coins for collectors.
By far, most the mint marks you will find will either be "P" or "D."
Can you explain to me about pennies that have D S and any other letters that are by the date. What is the most rare letter? And some pennies don't have any letter?
While there were no silver or steel cents made in 1975, it is possible that your coin was coated with a chemical like mercury or, perhaps, plated with silver. In any such case, that coin would have no collector value.
I have a 1975d silver penny can anyone tell me any thing about this
Hi, Pete:
Your set is worth roughly $2-3 if the coins are in low-to-moderately worn grades and not cleaned, bent, corroded, or otherwise damaged.
I have a lincoln wheat penny collection 1914,1915,1916,1917,1918 in a world war 1 case
can anyone tell me what it may be worth, where I can sell it?
Adolf,
If you found a 1908-S cent, the coin is worth at least $50 in lower grades (as long as it was nlot cleaned, corroded, or otherwise damaged). If it is a 1908 cent without a mint mark (found under the wreath on the back of the coin), it is worth closer to $3-10 in typical circulated grades without any problems. Good luck!
i was looking at my dads coin collection and he had a 1908 penny
Sounds like you have an off-center cent, Gary. An off-center Lincoln cent struck after 1981, with about a third of the design missing -- as you indicate -- is commonly worth $2-5, dependent largely on the grade of the coin.
I have a 1989 penny that is mis-struck. On both sides it has about 1/3rd of the image missing, giving it a crescent moon blank on both sides. It chops off the top of Lincolns head; IN GOD WE TRUST missed the coin; and the L in Liberty is off the coin.
On the other side you can read UNITED STATES of AMERICA, but the U is missing a little. A small amount of the bottom corners of the monument are missing. You can just see the top of the T in ONE CENT. Has anyone got an idea how much this could be worth?
Is it true a very few lincoln head pennies have Lincoln facing left?
Allysa,
If "1" was the rarest and "10" was the most common, I would easily place it in the "10" column; more than 8 billion 1974 cents (of all mint marks combined) were made, making it among the most common U.S. coins minted.
However, there are relatively fewer copper (pre-1982) cents in circulation today than there were two decades ago, as people are beginning to keep more and more of the 95% copper cents. In 1982, the U.S. Mint switched the cent's composition to the cheaper, lighter copper-plated zinc composition.
1974 cents, however, are still considered highly common and generally worth only face value.
I have a 1974 lincon penny.... how rare is that on a scale of 1-10?????
Hi, John:
The most valuable pieces you have are the 1904 Indian cent and 1942 Mercury dime, worth about $2-4 each in typical circulated grades. The steel cent is valued around 25-75 cents in typical circulated grades. If the other coins have wear, they are worh only face value.
hi,
i have a collection of coins that i dont have information about so i hope someone coud help.
.a 1994-d kennedy half dollar
.a 1942 mercury dime
.a 1904 indian head penny
.a 2000-p sacagawea dollar
.a 1979-s Susan B. Anthony
.a 1943 seel/zinc penny
.a 1978-d eisenhower dollarpenny
.a 1978-d eisenhower dollar
Bill,
1952 pennies (including those with a "D" and "S") are generally worth 5-15 cents each.
I have two 1952 Pennies. One with, and one without the D Im going to have to find out their value.
Hi, Brian:
Actually, there have been a few stories over the decades that include people finding the rare and valuable 1943 copper pennies -- authentic ones have been selling for over $100,000 in recent years. The problem is trying to find an authentic '43 copper. Many, many fakes exist.
If you have a 1943 penny that appears to have been made of copper and it does NOT stick to a magnet, you may have a coin worth verifying through a major third-party coin certification group to authenticate and grade it.
I wish you all the best!
It's the non-magnetic that is the ones your looking for.
Well I guess I have been looking for the wrong year wheat back. Was looking for the 1942 copper not steel. Is the 1943 copper the one that I heard could be as much as 100,000 dollars if new looking? I live in Arizona and a few years back a woman found such a penny in change and sold it for a large amount. Can you verify such a story? I am going back thru all my wheaty's to double check the dates again, because I was looking for the wrong year. Thanks for your time. Brian.
i have a 1915 and 19 13 penney both worth nothing and a white penney 19 43 ill have to look at al my old pennys to find the 1943 one
i have found a penny in a clear plastic cover its dated 1913
Hi, Bob:
I always liked the 9030 (1941-1974) collection -- easy to put together, and it includes steel cents, wheat cents, and memorial cents.
Assuming all the coins have some wear (including the Lincoln Memorial cents), you can bet on the coins from 1959 through 1974 being worth face value. The 1941-1958 coins have a value of 3 to 5 cents each, with the 1943 steel cents worth 25 - 50 cents each in lower circulated grades.
I suggest the low-end to average value of your collection is around $4-7. HOWEVER, if the 1959-1974 are uncirculated, the value of the set comes closer to $8-10.
hi i have a whiteman no. 9030 lincoln head cent with all the coins in them sept 4 are they of any vaule
hi i have the 1944,1957,1961-d,1962,1964,1964-d,1966.
Lisa,
Yes, both collectors and investors LOVE rolls by dates. Now, as for value, that is based on both the date (and mint mark) itself as well as the condition of the coins.
A roll (50 coins) of well-worn common dates like 1941, 1945, or 1958 (just a few of the dozens of common dates for pennies) may be worth around $2-3 each.
Any rolls after 1958, if of worn conis, are worth face value (50 cents), unless they contain any rare erros.
However, a roll of 1909 V.D.B., 1922-D, or 1924-D pennies (just a few scarce-date examples) can mean significant money (worth hundreds of dollars each per roll or more).
I think it may be worth your while to take your coins around to a few coin dealers in your town (if you have that many nearby -- check your phone book or online phone directory) and see what they quote. Again, if you have common dates, you may have a value of less than $300-500 for the entire lot (and far less if the coins are from after 1958), but I do think you will find it worth your time getting sight-seen appraisals, especially if the pennies are from the mid-1950s or earlier.
Good luck!
My father recently passed away and I discovered he had a odd habit. He must of spent hours rolling pennies by years. I have well over 100 rolls of pennies-by-year.
Each is rolled and has the year written on it.
Do I have anything special?
Thanks for your time.
Hi, Jay:
1943 steel (they are not silver) cents are common and worth about 50 cents-$1 each.
Hi, Binny:
What you have is a "wheat" cent. They were made from 1909 through 1958. While some are rare, yours is actually common and worth 3-5 cents.
hey man, ive also got that!
if anyone answers u please send the answer to my email: maxum95@gmail.com
thanks in advance...
I have a 1944 penny that on the back instead of the building it say's "one cent" and on both sides of the writing it has wheat.
is this rare and how much is it worth???????
Hi my name is jason I don't know much about coins. I found a whole mess of rolled coins in my great grandfathers attic. I oppened a few roles One of the roles is a role of wheat pennys all from 1943 the thing is 40 of them are copper and 10 are silver. I have never seen a silver color penny are these coins worth anything. They alll look like they have never left the penny roller.
Hi my nane is Raymond and I have also a 1917 1939 penny but the three is very small then all the rest of the numbers....Should I hold on too them or are they worth something..Thank You Raymond
Hi, Raymond:
What you have is a 1944 cent minted in Philadelphia. Pennies do not have a mint mark for Philadelphia.
Your piece is actually common and is worth about 3-5 cents in typical, well-worn grades. Still though, a coin that is 65 years old is neat to have!
I have A 1944 wheat penny with out the mint mark D.P or S and does not stick to A magnet. Maybe it is worth something or maybe I should hold on to it for A little bit longer....THANK YOU ....Raymond
Al,
These both sound like novelty coins or, perhaps more accurately, illusionist's coins. Assuming this to be the case, they may have a small amount of value (a few dollars) in the novelty coin market, but no value in the mainstream coin market.
Trent,
I have not heard of this particular large cent before, but I can tell you it is highly common for a coin to be engraved with initials, numbers, or insignias relating to organizations and groups.
Something tells me you may have a Free Masons-inscribed piece, but I don't know for sure as I can't see the coin. Go to a Free Mason's site and see if the symbol/insignia looks like the one on your coin.
If not, the coin may have belonged to someone who was a member of a police department, fire station, or some other affiliation in the Rochester, N.Y. area.
Coins that have been engraved are typically seen as "altered" by most collectors, but novelty coin collectors often like such pieces as yours and may be willing to pay a price if you were interested in selling it. I don't have any idea as to value for your piece, though.
I hope this response helps lead you to learning more about your coin! Good luck!
My Mother-in-law has a 1851 large cent , however on the back it doesn't have traditional back. It has rochester, N.Y. and Hamilton N0. 62 with a unusual symbol hand engraved can you shed some light on
this? Have been online for awhile unable to find anything of this nature. Thanks
T. Brooks
I have a 2 sided wheat penny. what is this, i also have a coin with republic of argentina on oneside and eagle with the words united state of america on the other side .thanks for the help
Hi, Tony:
1943 steel cents are generally worth about 50 cents each in circulated grades, and most Indian Head cents made from the 1880s into the first decade of the 1900s are worth roughly $2-3 each in lower-level circulated grades.
i have 1943 steel pennies and indian head pennies from 1888 to 1905 im order whatare they worth ne ideas?
Chris,
Very interesting question! I will have to answer your question in a purely hypothetical basis because, if you were to ever verify the existence of a 1974 aluminum cent (outside of the one housed at the Smithsonian), the United States Secret Service would have to confiscate it!
The way most coins are verified, or authenticated, would be to submit the coin to any one of the several reputable coin certification services. For a fee, such a service, often also called a "third-party grader," would inspect the coin to ensure its authenticity, grade it, then house it in a tamper-evident container. In fact, this is the very process thousands of rare coins (as well as common coins) go through every year.
Hi, Chad:
Sounds like a neat penny locket! I have not heard about the specific piece you are referring to, but I can tell you it would have more value as jewelry than as a collector coin.
Numismatists would view it as an "altered" coin, perhaps having little if any interest in it, but a person who loves a fine piece of craftsmanship like that would surely pay something to make selling it worth a person's time.
Hello, If someone were to come across one of the 1974 aluminum pennies what could they do to verify it?
I have a 1955 lincoln penny. The last 5 on the date starts out as a 5 but instead of having the loop, it comes down at an angle, like it was meant to be a 7. Anyone have any ideas about this?
Hey watching tv years ago seen this show that was talking about a specially crafted older penny not sure on year but what was done is a jewler had cut a slot into the side of a penny when closed it would not be noticed but when slid open had a picture on the inside, i guess according to the tv show the penny was re-circulated into currency does anyone know of this? heard the tail have the penny? I can't find much information on this... thanks in advance
Hi, Kathy:
What you have is some type of novelty coin. The penny may have been dipped in silver (or maybe pewter?) and then the wrapped gift was etched onto the coin by a private company (or person). It strikes me as a piece that may have been offered by a card/gift company perhaps as a Christmas, birthday, or other holiday offer.
I have not heard of this particular coin before. It may have some small value in the novelty coin market, but none in the general coin collecting market.
Hi, Brian:
While the extra buildings were probably stamped by a "professional" coin collector or coin company, they are not officially part of the coin. Such a piece would fall into the category of "novelty" coins. Generally speaking, such a coin is viewed as "altered" by coin collectors and is not worth anything over face value in the general collector market.
I have this penny from 1981, an it has a a couple building stamped into the once empty space on the coin. These building are normally not on the coin... I'm not sure if someone did this to the coin, or if the govt made a set of coins like this. I haven't been able to find anything about this coin online.
I'm not sure what these buildings are that are stamped on the coin...
How much is something like this worth... or is this a fake. Somehow i dont think its a fake, cuz it looks real professional. I'm not a regular coin collector.. so i don't know much about this stuff.
i have a penny silver in color 1989 put it has a small picture of a wrapped present on it next to lincoln found it in with all my change and thougt it was a dime is it worth anything .... tried to look up but cannot find anything...
hello I have a penny that is smaller than other pennies... it seems to be really worn and that makes it appear like it is blank on the back.. lincoln on the front but so worn there is nothing else.. no dates or words or anything and it has a rim... but difinately smaller than a regular penny... Thank you! what is it??? LOL
its a non typical error that is worth $25-30 on ebay
It is a blank planchet (which means the back just didnt get hit with a die they go for about $5-$10 on ebay depending on condition
My mother found a penny that is valued at half a cent. It looks just like a regular penny but the value states half a cent. What is it and is it rare?
I have a 1971 penny and this penny does not have a backside to it. It is completely blank on the backside.
hello I have a penny that is smaller than other pennies... it seems to be really worn and that makes it appear like it is blank on the back.. lincoln on the front but so worn there is nothing else.. no dates or words or anything and it has a rim... but difinately smaller than a regular penny... Thank you! what is it??? LOL
Adriana,
If your 1929 penny is from Canada, it is not really rare, but it is an older date which is collectible and worth at least $1-2 in average condition, and more if only lightly worn.
we have a pennie from 1929 wiith king George on it is it rare or not my husband would like to know thank you
Sharon,
Good luck with that! It goes to show how it pays to look at coins more closely!
Hi, Josh:
The photo of the 1955 doubled-die cent within the article at the link below is a good example of a full 1955 doubled-die cent: http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/07/rare_wheat_pennies.php
I have 3 uncirculated 1955 pennies and 3 circulated 1955 pennies. How do I know if it is a double die?
I have a 1944 D wheat penny. The L in LIBERTY is a "just a piece of copper" it doesn't form an "L" at all. I am going to call a few coin dealers and collectors tomorrow to find out if it is worth anything. If not I'll keep it. I decided to look at my penny collection due to numerous people posting ads to buy pennies and discovered this error. I have been having these Lincoln Cents Collection books for decades but had never paid any attention to the pennies until now.
Steven I have 1909 to 2009 missing 17 of them
Abbott,
What you have is a novelty coin that has been engraved with the South Carolina symbols after the coin left the U.S. Mint. Your coin is probably worth up to a few dollars in the novelty collecting circles.
I have a 1976 penny with an engraving of the south carolina to the right of lincoln's face and S.C. inside the state.
Hi, Coin Helper:
There are a couple particularly notable and popular errors with the Wisconsin quarter. Compare your quarter to the images at the article to which I link here: http://koinpro.tripod.com/Articles/2004DWiscDieGouges.htm .
Good luck!
Hi, Kerrie:
You have a novelty coin. While considered "altered" in the eyes of coin collectors and investors, a coin like yours does have a following in the novelty coin circles.
Many coins, during the nation's bicentennial, were imprinted (by private people and companies) with images of patriotic symbols. While not necessarily valuable (many are worth less than a few dollars), these types of novelty coins are neat collectibles.
thats the coolest penny we have ever seen
Hi guys,
I was just wondering if this Wisconsin quarter might be worth anything. It's in great condition except one of the leaves on the bottom left part of the corn is curled around in a spiral, and another extra leaf is slightly higher.
I found a 1976 with an imprint of an American flag next to the head. Anyone ever see this before?
good morning
i have a 1955 plain pennie on a silver coin. i tested if it was zinc with a magnet and it d'int not stick to it. what should i do?
Hi!
I found a 1975, Denver mint, Lincoln penny that is unusual. On the back, the Lincoln Memorial is struck twice. The second striking is lighter than the first and is rotated approximately 45 degrees clockwise from the first. Is this a rare/valuable coin?
Thanks
Sandy
thanks joshua
Hi, Zachary:
Nice finds! While each of those pennies is considered "common" by collectors, any pennies made before 1959 seem to be getting more difficult to find in circulation, even in rolls.
Each of your pennies is worth roughly 5-10 cents in typical circulated grades.
i hav a few wheat penny.a1940-S,a 1948-D,a 1956-D,a 1957, a 1936,and a 1945.i was wondering if any of these were worth anything?
thanks for any info provided.:)i just found them in about 12$ of pennys i looked in yesterday.thanks to anyone who reply,zach:)
Hi, Bill:
Blank coins are a common though neat error piece. Blank cent planchets (the blank pie ce of metal on which the design is struck) usually are worth $3-5.
i got a penny that was not stamp on either side i want to know what its worth
Tyler,
If the authenticated coin you have is a 1943 copper penny, it is best to sell it through an auction house. Check out Teletrade, Bowers and Merena, Heritage Auction Galleries, and Superior (for example) to find out more about submitting coins for auction. Many such auction houses accept only coins that are slabbed and graded, however.
Selling your coin to a coin dealer is another option to consider.
Incidentally, authentic 1943 copper cents have sold for $80,000 and more while 1943 steel cents generally sell for 25 cents to $1. Good luck!
Brian,
It is possible your friend's coin was plated with zinc or silver by a private company. However, I have heard of many copper cents being discolored with mercury and other chemicals. Copper is highly reactive to several agents, and thus many copper pennies have fallen prey to people discoloring them by dumping them into a variety of chemicals.
Hi, Joe:
Thank you for providing the photo--it is very helpful to see the coin! Judging from the photo, it looks like you have a "filled-die" coin. Compare it to this photo: http://coins.about.com/od/errorcoinsdievarieties/ig/Washington-Dollar-Error-Photos/Filled-Die-Washington-Dollar.htm .
I am unable to say the exact value of your coin, but I can tell you that filled-die errors are usually not worth significantly more than "typical" values for a similar coin with a normal strike.
I have a rare 1943 Penny, That is authenticated...How do I sell it??? Thx you
A friend of mine came into my office today with a 1971 D silver penny, silver colored anyway, and I cant find anything about it. If you have any info please reply here. It is very odd. He is a pretty avid collector, but doesn't have a computer so I am doing the digging for him. It is not magnetic so cant be steel. It has a groove in it from circulation and is solid, not painted. Any info would be great. Thank you.
I have a New 2009 Penny with many oddities, my only question is do I ignore it or is this a rare happening?
The words The United States of America, E Plurbis Unim and what evr writing is at he end of the log ARE MISSING. There seems to be another raised ring on the inner edge of the coin. The T in Cent also looks slanted. Most of the Lincoln figure is faint as to barely stamped at all. Is this a keeper?
Thanks for any information on this.
Joe
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i have a 1940 penny with no letter stamped on it. i thought all coins had a letter stamped on them?
I have a 1974 D Penny that was only stamped on the front. The back is black. Is this worth anything? I found it in circulation.. Has little to no marks or blemishes.. Thanks
Hi, I have something I have never seen and I have looked at a lot of pennies. It is a 1957 D wheat penny that is yellowish gold in color, little to no wear. It has a deep edge around it and here is the kicker…It sticks to a magnet but not like a 1943 will do, it seems to only have about half the magnetism of the 1943. I have looked it over with both a 14X and a 16X loop and it have ALL the markings of a 1957 D cooper penny. Would someone really take the time to counterfeit a penny? Why would someone go through so much trouble to do so? Has anyone heard of such a combination?
Hi, Bob:
While the penny is encased in a plastic, that was done by a private company (or person) and is likely a worn penny; most encased coins such as yours unfortunately tend to be worn. The only way for a coin to be "mint" condition is for it to have no wear; these are usually called "uncirculated" coins.
Hello, I have a 1941 Wheat Penny that is mounted inside a round plastic block that is two-toned. Lincoln's bust is toned a brighter color as is the reverse of the coin. Being inside the plastic...it is mint condition...never seen the air? Is this worth anything?
Thanks for any help!
Veronica,
Great finds! Likely the coins in the rolls are common dates, usually worth between 5-15 cents apiece (the 1943s are worth 25 cents to $1 in typcial, worn grades without corrosion). However, there is an article here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins you should check out: http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/12/lincoln_semi_key_coins.php
The only other coin to be on the lookout for (besides those listed in the article)I link you to is the 1955 Double Die cent. Look for doubling of the date and lettering. If you can find one, it is worth almost $1,000 and up!
My kids found a couple of rolls of wheat back pennies dating back to 1910. And I know a few are 1943. Other than that should we have any checked out?
Kelly,
Unless the penny has toned to a yellow/gold color (which is possible), it may a gold-plated penny. Such items are common, and they usually show up in the novelty coin market, selling for a few dollars.
Hello, Has any one herd of or seen a gold penny it says in god we trust on the top and liberty on the left side and just 2008 on the right side
Hi, Jewel Marie:
What you have is a privately altered penny. As such, while it does not really have any collector value in the mainstream coin market, it MAY have some nominal value in the novelty coin market.
Unless you have any rare errors there, your 1941-1959 cents (including the 1952-D) are worth about 5-10 cents each in typical circulated grades. Your 1959-1962 pennies are worth face value if circulated.
i have alot of pennies 1941-1962 including a 1952 d how to find out how much is worth!
I have a 1952D penny. is there a difference in price between s d p
i have a 1947 penny with an engraving of south carolina partcially on lincolns face and "sc" inside the state. Can anyone tell me if its worth any more than 1cent
I have 14 rolls of silver pennys. How much are they worth?
Alyssa,
1943 Steel cents DO stick to magnets. 1943 copper cents (actually all copper pennies) do NOT stick to a magnet. If you have a 1943 copper cent which does not stick to a magnet, get it authenticated because you may have one of the rare 1943 copper pennies.
I have a 1972 D penny that appears to be a double dye. Anyone interested?
I don't know if anybody has noticed this but the video says the 1943 steel penny sticks to the magnent (at 1 minute and 47 seconds in) but the writing above it says that it doesnt stick. Whats right???????
ive got a 1944 penny.
i found it on the floor
anybody interested in it.
does not say d or s.
i looked on ebay and saw fraud versions.
Danny,
There are a number of very common errors associated with the 1960-D Lincoln cent. Most are not worth much money if in circulated; they are worth more in uncirculated.
You might want to check out this web page on "BIE" errors and see if it resembles or is at least close to what you are talking about: http://www.lincolncentresource.com/FAQ/BIE.html
I found a 1960D that clearly has issues in the word LIBERTY.LIB is unusally longer,Y is touching T,and top opening on B and E are filled.This doesn't appear to be from wear.I'm curious if I may have found a nice one?
Maybe we exange coins
lila, hi my name is tom i live in the atlanta area i have a 1952D it has been circulated and is worn but I will sell it if youre still interested.......
hello amanda the 1943 pennies you speak of besides the steel, are actually said to be worth considerably more,tell your dad to look into current values hold onto those.thought you should know,good luck........
hey i have a 1865 coin thats misprinted where it says america, on the bottom of the letter E it has a melted piece touching the letter R. how much do you think its worth?
Hi Peopler;
Do you have a 1952 pennies
LILA will buy one 1952;
LILA;
MEME,
The 1907 Indian Head penny is worth $3-5 in typical worn grades, but the other pennies will be worth closer to 5-10 cents apiece in worn grades.
By the way, any U.S. coins without a mint mark (like the coins you mention) were made at the Philadelphia mint.
Bev,
This is a novelty coin---while the Lincoln cent itself is genuine in and of itself, the Alabama engravings were done by somebody else outside the mint. There really is no value for this penny in the general coin collecting market, it could be worth a couple dollars to collectors who specialize in novelty coins.
Holly,
An 1894 Indian Head penny is worth $5-10 in typical well-worn grades, and up to $50 for lightly worn pieces.
Val,
Your 1881 penny was made during the heart of the Indian Head penny series, which was struck from 1859 through 1909. While I am not exactly sure what grade your penny is in, the value range for circulated Indian Head pennies is about $3-30, the higher end price for the 1881 pennies with the lightest wear. An 1881 penny with no wear at all is worth at least $50.
I have an 1881 Indian head penny great condition. Had it for quite sometime. I came across this web page looking for something else and thought what the heck. What can you tell me about it?
I have a wheat back Pennie from 1952 and I do colect coins from other contries.
The letters refer to the mint (S)stands for San Francisco and these tend to be worth more than those struck in P or D.
I have found a pennie like I have never seen. The rim is very high around the outside giving a bowl shaped. Is this rare.
i have the same one but it is a 1894 and i would like to know if it's worth anything please answer back if you know anything about it!!!!
Tom,
Great question--the RD and RB refer to "Red" and "Red/Brown." These distinctions refer to the overall color of the penny.
Most pennies will tone over time, and they trend toward the color of brown. Brown pennies (often referred to as "BN," by the way) are worth the least in terms of the three basic "colors" of pennies.
"Red" pennies are usually the scarcest, especially among older pennies (like Indian Head pennies). "Red" (really a deep, warm orange/orange red color) was the original color of these copper pennies when first struck. If well-preserved, the orange color remains. However, such pennies are relatively scarce because so few pennies have survived for a century without suffering the toning which naturally sets into copper coins.
Red Indian head pennies are worth more than the brown Indian head pennies, and are also worth more than the "red/brown" pennies which show traces of both colors.
Often, you will find advertisements for Indian Head pennies that have "traces of red" or "mostly red." Because the original "red" color is so sought-after in coin collecting, you will find dealers and collectors alike describing just "how red" their Indian Head pennies are.
Bear in mind that judging redness in an Indian Head penny is not much unlike the subjective judgements of defining the value or beauty in any other piece of art.
Values seen for "BN," "RB," and "RD" Indian Head pennies are general, and exceptional or lackluster examples in any of the three categories can warrant higher or lower prices than the values reflected in a standard price guide.
I'm new to this coin collecting thing and was wondering what was the RB, RD in the design section mean in the pgcs website, and how can I tell the difference of what the penny actually is?
I have a 1907 indian head penny..pretty good condition...and a whole bunch of wheat pennies with no mints(1935 1939 1941 1955)..anything worth anything???
Gabe,
A 1957 cent with no mint mark comes from Philadelphia. In fact, all U.S. coins without mint marks were made in Philadelphia.
Generally, uncirculated 1957 pennies are worth around 25 cents. A 1957 penny with wear has a value of 3 to 10 cents.
I have a 2002 lincoln penny with the shape of alabama above the datw and Al inside. is it worth anything?
I have a 1957 wheat penny, it seems to be new, no where, no tornish, the eage seems to have a rough grabbing feeling,has no mint mark,no misspelled words...any suggestions on value or origation?
Hi I need Linkoln head cents, in mine collection missing 1945,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,56,57,58,59,60,62,63,64,66,68,70 years
Please I send for exange stamp or coins mine country
contact
dragmilenkovic@sbb.rs
thanks
greetings from Serbia
Taylor, I have one of those too! I found it in my grandmother's attic. I have been doin' some research on it and I even took it to a expert. all of them said different prices! but the price that most of them said was about $57,000!!!!! I already sold mine on ebay for $50,000.99. Well good luck with yours!
Angie
I found 3 pennies. 1 had a "D" under the date 1958 1 had a "D" under the date 1951 and 1 had a "S" under the date 1941. Does anyone know if thees could be valuable, or what the Ds and the S means?
Thanks so much, Joshua! You seem to have a lot of knowledge on this particular topic. I never knew that this "silver" penny ever existed until I saw this website!
My dad has a few 1943 pennies, but none of them are nickel nor steel. I really hope I could find one. Just by looking at a photo of this penny intrigues me into finding one!
Thanks again for the information.
-Amanda Cadenhead
Amanda,
In fact, the 1943 "silver" penny is neither silver nor rare. The 1943 penny consists of zinc-coated steel and hundreds of millions were struck.
The coin is worth 25 cents to about $1 in typical worn grades and can be easily found at most coin dealers. I once found a 1943 steel penny in circulation, but that was over 15 years ago....
Is the silver 1943 penny worth anything? Is it actually real silver? The silver penny really sounds unique and I wonder where I could find one. Are they extremely rare or uncommon?
I recently found a 1963 penny that says IN GOD WE TRUSY instead of TRUST. can anyone tell me if it is valuable, thanks
Liliana,
Your 1944-S cent is a collectible in that it, as a "wheat cent," is considered obsolete. While not valuable (worth 5-20 cents in typical worn gades), all Lincoln wheat cents, even the most common ones, are getting harder to find in circulation and are highly popular among collectors.
Donald,
The "D" is called a "mint mark" and refers to the mint at which that coin was made. In the case of coins with a "D" mint mark, they were struck at the U.S. Mint facility in Denver, Colorado.
"P," by the way, is another common mint mark for coins struck in recent years; "P" coins were minted at the main facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Also, all U.S. coins without a mint mark were struck in Philadelphia.
Krista,
It sounds like you got hold of a "trick" coin; these are used by illusionists to make some coins appear like they are changing from a dime to a penny, or vice versa. Try---a dime should fit quite nicely in that hollowed-out penny....
Thomas,
An 1865 2-Cent coin is worth $20-50, given the presence of wear. Generally, the less wear on the coin, the more valuable it is.
Hey, I just found what seems to me is "one half" of a penny. It just has the back half of a penny, it looks hollow with a rim like someone just cut a penny in half!! I dont know if its worth anything, anyone that can help please do! Its also magnetic if that helps!! Thanks so much.
Hey I have a penny labeled with D under the year. I know it is probably not a rare or valuable coin since it appears to be so common, but I was wondering what the D ment.
I have a big 3 inch round pennny that is dated 1972s it is in rough condition it has some kind of alge or something on it. A magnet does not stick to it, it is not a flattened penny. Is it worth anything? Does anyone know?
My brother found a wheat Lincoln penny with just a 19 on it. Any info?
i have a cooper cent i think 1944 lincon face and it has a "s" below and betwen 9 and the 4
1944
s
i would like to know if its a collectable coin or not
i have 5 1943 one cent penny. anyone interested?
My papa had 4 of those that he sold for $1,239,000 good luck with yours!
I found a penny from 1863 that says Union on it. I am wondering if this is rare?
i have a two cent penny united states of america the year 1865 can some one tell me the vaule
Hi, Gabe:
The Lincoln wheat cents you describe are common but certainly are worth more than face value, as long as they are not bent, cleaned, corroded, or otherwise...but they can be worn!
The early 1900s pennies you asked about retail between 20 cents to a dollar each in typical circulated grades. The later dates have a value closer to 3-10 cents each in typical grades.
Bob,
Huh...Most of the old copper-based pennies I drop on a hard surface (though I really don't recommend dropping coins!) have either a deep knock or a nice ring. I'm not sure what to say about your coin sounding hollow....
I have a 1963D Lincoln penny that, when I drop it, it sounds like it is hollow or plastic. Any information on this?
Dear Josh,
If your penny has Lincolns head double stamped it is worthless. I will gladly take it off your hands for $1.10. all worthwhile pennys are the ones with no flaws on them, so why don't you give it to me for .50 cents and we will call it a rocking deal for you.
Thank you,
Fred Flintstone
i mean i have alot of 40s 50s 60s and alot of ds so if any of you guys have questions about the pennies please contact me at lakers1784@aol.com
hello i a quite a few early 1900 hundred pennies like 1919 1914 1911 and 18ninetysomething and yes i had a question of this 1946 penny that looks like it has an s under the date instead of a d
Could you tell me anything about a 1976 silver licoln head penny? Is it worth anything?
I have pennies collection starting 1941 to 1970. Including steel 1943, 1943-S and 1943-D. Any one interested?
Drgraziani@aol.com
Dr. Joseph Grazianik
I have a 1985 D Penny. It looks like steel or aluminum. It's very light and a magnet doesn't stick to it. I was wondering what kind of fluke it is and if it would be worth anything. I found it in a stack of 1943 pennies 16 years ago.
Alvin,
I have read and heard of light or faint "4"s on steel pennies. I am not particularly aware of missing "3"s. From what I know, pennies with the missing "4"S do not have any notable premium value....
I found a 1962 penny that looks like silver, but research says it isn't. Does anyone have any information on this? kaeele0487@hotmail.com
I have a steel penny that is stamped 194 s...there is a blank after the 4 as if it was missed stamped. Is this a known issue? or is there any value to the misprint?
Raymond,
The 1943 steel penny is worth 25 cents to $1 in typical worn condition.
The 1990 penny with Queen Elizabeth II should be a Canadian penny. Generally, such a coin, if worn, is worth face value. However, even worn, recent Canadian pennies sometimes sell in the market for 5-10 cents each.
i have a 1959 penny...it is in mint condition and in a plastic sleeve..I found its golden color kind of odd..like the other person it is probably face value but I thought it would by worth a try
i recently found 1943 steel penny and a 1990 penny with queen elizabeth on it.can anyone tell the value of them.contact me at mcculley45@yahoo.com.
Ryan,
You can bring your 1943-S penny to any local coin dealer to get an appraisal or, also, to sell your coin if you wish.
I can tell you here that if your 1943-S is in typical worn condition and is not rusted or oxidated, it is valued around 50 cents to $1.50.
i have 1 1936 in great condition, 1 1953 s that is a little tarnished and 1 1959 D that is a little oxidized on the back how much are they worth and where do i sell them.
I have a penny about the size of a nickel that has USA real big on the front and 13 bars on the back. Was wondering how much they are worth? I'm not sure of the year I have it at the bank. I can find out if needed.
have a 1943s steel penny in very good shape. where should i go to have looked at
Deb,
1902 pennies are worth around $2-5 in typical, worn grades.
James -
Please look around the site a little bit:
1943 pennies steel vs copper
the rarest & most valuable wheat pennies
1943 pennies
all 1943 coins discussed on this site
I have a 1902 penny, i would like to fine out the value. Thank you
i have 12 1943 pennies that are silver please tell me more about them
Bic,
My only thought is that it may be a slight irregularity in the thickness of the copper sheet used to strike the coin. I have seen some older pennies with slightly varying thicknesses. I don't believe this type of situation would warrant any increased value for your coin, unless your penny is extraordinarily thick....
Hi, I have 1 clear roll of 1970 s pennies and 1 of 1970 large pennies, could you please let me know what these may be worth? thanks
I came accross a 1963 philadelphia mint penny that is slightly thicker than other pennies. The weight is also exact with other pennies of the time, about 3.1 grams. it's in perfect condition, but still bizarre.
i have a 2 penny 1943 one cent not s on ther it sticks to the magnet you know how much that two penny thanx
Hi, Michael:
You're right, the 1909 S (San Francisco) V.D.B. penny is worth much more than the 1909 V.D.B. penny minted in Philadelphia (without the mintmark). The 1909 V.D.B. penny is gnerally worth around $12-15 in the lower circulated grades. Even in typical uncirculated grades, the 1909 V.D.B. can be had for only $40-75.
BUT, I don't think 1909 V.D.B. pennies should be ignored. During my early years in the hobby, I could have bought a 1909 V.D.B. penny for well less than $5. That was in the early to mid 1990s....
i have a wierd 1944 wheat penny end here is the reason why *944 the nine is double the size of the 4's iwould like to hear eny comment's enyone has at leemaneiro@yahoo.com 585-285-7583 a* a double size9 and two normal size 4's
I have a 1909 V.D.B. penny, not a 1909-s V.D.B. penny. I know that there were only 1/2 million of the 1909-s VDB, so im sure it is more valuable but would anyone know the value of the 1909 V.D.B. penny. There were around 28 million of these made.
Carolyn,
Hmm...sounds like the pennies may be rusted, which is not uncommon for steel cents.
I am not sure how I would recommend removing the oxidation safely. Frankly, if the steel cents are very heavily oxidated, they really have little, if any, value over face.
If you are curious to see what the mint marks are (either "D" for Denver or "S" for San Francisco---Philadelphia pennies have no mint mark), you may want to try using a 5X to 10X magnifying glass to see if you can make out any raised portions of the metal just under the date.
Hi, John,
All 1943 steel pennies are common and, if worn, usually worth around 25 cents to $1 each.
WitherRich,
You have a decent sampling of 20th century U.S. coins there.
The Lincoln pennies are likely common dates and are worth between 5 and 25 cents each if of the common dates (be sure to check out some of the Lincoln cent articles here at The Fun Times Guide to see which dates are rare!).
If the 1970s Kennedy half dollars are worn, they are worth face value.
The 1946 Walking Liberty half dollars, however, are worth somewhere around $7-10 each in typical circulated grades.
The old quarters from the 1920s are "Standing Liberty" qaurters. If you can't read the dats on some of them, the are likely made from before 1925 (the year the date was slightly modified so it would not wea down too quickly). These quarters will be worth somewhere between $7-10 each, though perhaps more....A coin dealer may be able to tell which dates the "dateless" quarters are, as any scarce dates will certainly bring in more money.
The 1936-1939 Mercury dimes are worth around $2-3 each in typical, well worn grades.
The 1930s nickels could be either Buffalo (1913-1938) or Jefferson (1938 to the present). The typical 1930s Buffalo nickel is worth $1-3 in circulated grades. Jefferson nickels from the 1930s are worth abut the same price, though a 1938 D, 1938 S, 1939 D, or 1939 S can often bring in higher amounts if not well worn or uncirculated.
The 1976 Bicentennial dollars were mainly struck in copper nickel clad format for circulation. These, if worn, are worth between $1 and $1.50 (yes, Eisenhower dollars are sometimes now being sold for above face value even if worn).
I hope this helps you a bit!
I have 11 1943 steel wheat pennies and am wondering how to clean them. They are oxidized or something and I cannot see the mint mark. They stick to a magnet.
HI Y HAVE WHAT I THINK A RARE MINT MISTAKE A WHEAT PENNY THE DATE LOOK LIKE *944 THE NINE IS DOBLE THE SIZE OF THE 4 ????ENY INPUT PLEASE EMAIL ME THANK YOU
I LIKE TO KNOW THE PRICES ON THE 3 STEEL PENNYS 1943 1943D 1943S
I HAVE A 1975 PENNIE THAT HAS A BELL AND FLAG ON THE FRONT IS IT WORTH ANYTHING
Hello , I have a few pennies ranging in dates fron 1913 thru 1956... I have a bunch og half dollars from the 70's a few from 1946... 1/4 s from 1929 and older can't see date worn... I have dimes from 1936-1939.. nickes from the 1930's and some dollars from 1976... can you help me figure out what i have ... thank you ...
Hi, Meg:
Yes, your Indian Head pennies are worth some money indeed.
The 1865 penny, in average circulated grades, is worth $10-20.
Your 1883 and 1903 pennies are worth $2-5 each in average condition.
hi,, i have a 1883 and 1865 and 1903 indian head pennys, and lots of different coins,, is there any value to the pennys? thanks for the help!
I have a 1890 Indian head penny in good condition.What is the value?
Hi, Doug:
Yes, the 1972 doubled die cent is considered numismaticaly important, though you are right---its popularity seems to rank behind the 1955 doubled die cent in many circles. The 1972 doubled die cent is worth around $400 in typical uncirculated (never worn) condition.
I hear quit alot regarding the 1955 Double die but have not heard or read about the 1972 double die since it was published in our local paper in 1972. I've never seen one either, can anyone post a picture of one here and what are they now worth?
I have a 1971 uncirculated mint set where the Lincoln cent from the Denver mint is missing its mint mark. The other 4 coins in the plastic pack all have theirs. What do you think of its possible value, especially considering it is in the original government packaging?
I have a lincoln penney, head is double striked. Does any one have info on this? Can't seem to find. Thanks.
Yes, you guessed correctly! Your 1959 cent is worth face value; that is the case with virtually all regular-issue Lincoln Memorial pennies that are worn. But hang onto that coin....If you are like me, you may have noticed it seems to be getting a wee bit harder to find those early Lincoln Memorial pennies.....
Hi. I have a 1959 penny that is in very good condition. I was wondering how much it was worth. I know it might be face value, (not so shiny) But just to make sure... Please respond!
I have found a 1957 wheat penny with a freemasons stamp of the square and compass on it. Is this worth collecting and what could it be worth.
I have a 1943 (Denver Mint) penny. Any value?
Hi, Reginald:
A 1948-S wheat cent is worth about 5-10 cents in typcial circulated grades.
Therese,
A lot of companies placed 2000-dated pennies in holders as a commemorative to the first coins of the new millennium. One very popular promotion involved Cheerios offering sealed 2000 pennies that were placed in boxes of the famous cereal. Those coins have sold for $5-10 on eBay, and I have come across a couple of major dealers who have also offered these Cheerios penny pieces over the years.
I don't know how much your particular piece is worth because I am not sure who produced the collector's package or how it was distributed. I can tell you that 2000 pennies are extremely common and sell for less than 25 cents each in uncirculated condition. Therefore, the value of your piece will largely be in the holder itself and how popular or sought-after that collector's-edition product is. I hope this helps.
Hi, Meghan:
You have a novelty coin that honors both Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy. I have heard of several people who have these, so the coin apparently is a fairly common piece.
Many of these types of coins tend to sell in the novelty coin market for a couple to a few dollars each.
I have a 1943 steel penny. The 1 is not very visible and the 4 is barely visible. Also, the 3 is cocked off at an angle. I would appreciate someone giving me some feedback about this penny. Thank-you
hi my name is reginald i have a 1948 s wheat penny underneath the 1948 is this worth anyhing? please respond
I too have one of these pennies,
Did you ever find out how much it was worth
I have three 1943 steel pennys to sell
I have a 2000 uncirculated Lincoln penny in a sealed Collectors Edition container. How much, if anything, is it worth and where can I sell it?
i have a copper penny with a john f. kenndy face facing lincoln the year it 1987 and it was made in denver i was wondering if its worth anything
Hi. I have a 1946 silver wheat penny. I'd like to know what it's worth and if anyone is interested. Thanks! If interested, email brutti007@hotmail.com
i have a silver penny and i know is worth good money , who is willing to pay good money
My brother found a 1964 penny that is 1/2 the size of a normal penny. There is no "copy" stamped on the back. Anybody have any information on something like this?
i have a 1986d aluminum panny, it is in decent condition, not the best. any idea of the rareity? even the worth?
Jeremy,
The only penny of the three worth more than face value is the 1956-D penny, at around 2-5 cents if in typical circulated grades.
In general, Lincoln Memorial cents are still worth only face value if in circulated grades.
Hi, i have a 1956D penny that does not stick to a magnet. i was just wondering if it might be worth anything. i also have a 1963D, and a 1964 penny. any info will help. thanks
Hi, Hannah,
1945 pennies are generally worth 5 cents to 25 cents in typical, circulated grades.
-Josh
Hi i have a wheat penny from 1945 plzz comment if u know wat it would be worth or want 2 buy it.
I HAVE A PENNY IM NOT SURE OF THE AGE BECAUSE IT HAS THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL ON BOTH SIDE AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ITS WORTH IF ANYTHING.
i have recently found a 1957 d steel penny. mine sticks to magnet. was wondeing if anyone responded to your ?
Hi, Alex:
Your 1937, 1946, 1953-D, and 1958-D pennies are worth between 2 and 5 cents each if in typical, worn grades.
Hi, RickG:
This does not sound like an error but rather somebody who may have hollowed out the back side of the Lincoln penny to make it a "trick" coin. It was probably made to fit a dime in the back side for some type of illusion.
I have a 1969 penny that only has the Lincoln Head side, it has a rim and on the back it is hollow! The hollow side has concentric circular cuts on it. Any idea on what this is and what its value might be? I can send pictures if you reply.
i have a 1904 indian head penny how much is it worth
my father has a plain 1946 steel penny....any info would be appreciated
okay...i have a 1943 silver wheat penny that has no markings on it at all...it has the date and the "in god we trust" written on it but thats it...ive been looking and all the books that i have looked in do not mention anything about this penny that i have...can you please help me out...thanks alot
I have 1888, Indian Head penny, also 19; 47,50,56,
also have a suddan huesin 100 dollar bill(iraq money).picture of him on front,is it worth keeping or auctioning.
i have a 1929 penny,just wanted to know the value if any.
i have a 1958-D a 1946 a 1953-D and a 1937 penny are they work anything?
Hannah,
Your 1904 Indian Head penny should be worth between $2-5 if in typical worn grades (and your penny is not corroded, bent, cleaned, or otherwise damaged).
hey, i have a 1904 indian head penny. curious on it's value.
Hi, Nick:
Well, your 1950-S penny is actually a very common penny. The "S" is the mintmark for the San Francisco mint. Your penny, if worn, is worth somewhere between 10 and 50 cents.
if its a factory mistake it could be worth some big bucks
hi
i have a 1950 wheat penny with the letter 's' underneath the 1950
is this worth anything?
please respond
Hi, Isabel:
I am not well versed on paper currency, but from what I can find on the internet, it looks like your 1934-C $5 silver certificate is worth somewhere between $7-10 if in typical, worn grades.
As far as your 1943 pennies go, they are made of steel. The reason they were made from steel is that the U.S. was rationing copper then to help in the war effort. 1943 steel pennies from any mint are worth between 20 cents and $1 each in typical worn grades.
Hi Anthony,
Your 1972-D penny, if worn, is worth face value.
hello there,
i have two silver pennies, both from 1943 and one has the letter D stamped under the year. I also own a five dollar "silver certificate" from the "series of 1934 C". was wondering if these are worth any value other than thier face value or if you have any info on or about them.
Just interested in knowning!!
thanks,
isabel
HI i have a pennie from 1972 with the d mark under it and wanted to know if it was worth any thing
Carol,
A number of coin pricing guides can be found at your local bookstore (I like "A Guide Book of United States Coins," by R.S. Yeoman and Kenneth Bressett).
In general, most any U.S. coin which is currently seen in circulation is worth only face value if worn (with a few exceptions, such as in the cases of error coins or otherwise obsolete coinage which managed to some how pop up in your pocket change).
Your 1974 penny is also worth only face value (unless it is in mint condition; even then its value is only a few cents).
Hi, John:
Hmm...well I have to say that your 1943-S penny may not be able to pay for your retirement (but keep looking!).
In fact, your steel penny contains zinc and has a picture of two wheat stalks on the back. Generally, all Lincoln pennies made from 1909 through 1958 are called "wheat pennies" because of the image of two wheat stalks on the tails (reverse) side of the coin.
Happy collecting!
How do I clean mildew from my pennys? TNX?
I HAVE SEVERAL COPPER PENNIES (NOT STICKING TO ANY MAGNET) AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE WORTH. 1913; 1919; 1919S, 1930; 1934; 1936; 1936D; 1940; 1941; 1941D; 1942; 1942S; 1944; 1944D; 1945; 1946; 1948; 1949; 1949D; 1951; 1951D; 1952D; 1953D; 1955; 1955D; 1956; 1956D; 1957; 1957D; 1958; 1958D; AND A 1988 OVERSIZE CONCAVE. ANY ONE CAN REPLY TO ME ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT TO BUY. THANKS, MATT. 917-312-8154.
Hi,
I would like to know how you know if your 1974 penny is worth anything?
Thanks
I have a 1943-s penny that can stick to a magnet. How much is it worth? Is it wheat or zinc? Can you tell me if I hit the big one..Thanks
JOHN
Judi,
Assuming your 1909 penny has a picture of Lincoln on it (not the Indian head, which last appeared in 1909), check on the back of the coin for tiny letters "V.D.B." These are the designer's initials (Victor David Brenner) and can be found on some 1909 pennies near the rim of the coin at the center bottom (below the wheat stalks).
If your coin has these letters, it is worth between $10-15 in common, worn grades. If "VDB" is not present, it is worth closer to $3-8 in the same worn condition.
Robert,
Philadelphia did not use a mint mark in 1970, so it is actually a very common piece that came from the Philadelphia mint. If worn, it is worth 10 cents (face value).
I have a 1909 penny with no P,S, or D and a 1943 S steel penny. Are they worth anything?
I have a 1970 dime with no p or d on it. Is it worth anything
Hi, David:
If your 1943-D penny is worn, it is worth somewhere between 25 cents and about a dollar. Values for such coins are largely dependent on how much wear a coin has.
I have a 1943 D Steel penny.I have used a magnet and it stuck!Could anybody tell me what it is worth?
Tracy, it sounds like that penny must have been special to somebody! The 1947 penny would ordinarily be worth a few cents if it was not gold-plated. Such pieces are actually considered altered or novelty pieces, and really do not have much if any value in the mainstream numismatic market.
Maybe the ring is pure gold, though...I don't know about the value of that. Perhaps a jeweler may be able to help you in that department....
i have a 1947 gold peeny thats in side a gold ring, not sure what's it worth so pls can someone tell me thanks
Hello,
I have three 1943 Steel Wheat back pennies. I have the S, P, and the D. I was just wondering if they are worth anything? I done the magnet test and each penny stuck to the magnet.
If you know anything about this penny I would appreciate it very much!
I found a 1971 D penny with an engraved face over the D. It is facing Lincoln. It looks like it could be JFK but I'm not sure. Anyone have any idea about this?
Thanks
Zach
I have two pennies from 1943 and both are metal, one of the penny's is 1943S, both where tested with a magnet. ARE they worth anything.
hi
i have a 1918 1954 & 1956 penny are they worth anything?
thanks
I am not well-versed in error coins, but it sounds like you have an "off-center" error coin, Dannie.
Off-center errors are usually valued based on how much of the design is missing, what parts of the design are present, and if the coin has a full date or partial date; normally full-date off-centers are worth more than partially dated specimens.
If you can get to one, you should see if a coin dealer can give you more insight on the value of your particular off-center error.
I hope this helps you....Good luck!
I have a wheat penny that has no face. I can not tell which year it was minted. Does anyone know anything about these? I haven't been able to find anything on the net at all about them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a penny that, on both sides, is only half stamped. Half of it is Lincoln or the Memorial {depending on what side} and the other half is blank. The only part of the date I can get is 2...
I have a penny with one side Lincoln's profile and one side nothing but black, no imprint of any kind, no grind marks evident either. Just smooth. 1972. Thank you to anyone who can demystify.
William,
I read another post like yours....A person responded to that post suggesting that the penny may have been coated in mercury and would therefore be dangerous to touch. I don't know if that is what happened to your penny, but I hope this at least gives you some insight.
found a 1957 zinc looking penny, look better than most 1943 zinc steel ones. has someone just plated this with zinc coating? if so it should be much brighter i would think. magnet does not stick. thank for any help. bill
Hi, Joe:
1943 steel cents are worth about as much now as they were when this article was written.
Generally, if you have a steel cent that is worn but not corroded or otherwise damaged, it is usually valued somewhere between 25 cents and 75 cents (lower for well-worn pieces, more for less-worn examples).
Hello, J.R.:
Happy Holidays to you, too!
Your Masonic penny, which is a novelty item, may have some bit of value among novelty coin collectors as well as those who collect Masonic items. However, it really does not have much value in the general coin market.
Most collectors and investors consider any regular-strike coin (like a Lincoln cent) with a stamp, etching, or other private mark on it as being an altered coin.
okay i have a 1943 silver steel
it does stick to magnet
i was just wondering seeing what its is worth. how much do you think its worth in 2008-09?
I came across a 1948D copper wheat penny. What caught my eye was the Masonic stamp on Lincoln's coat. Just wondering if this is significant or any history about this type of coin.
Thank you and Happy Holidays.
I have a few 1943 pennies that I think are worth something and they do not stick to magnet.
Thank your so much for your time and for the info!
Tracy
Hi,
I had to do a bit of web-research to find out more about your 1963 cent....
From what I am finding, there is record of doubling in the date (the front) of the 1963 Lincoln cent (worth $5-25), but I cannot find any information on doubling of the back of the 1963 Lincoln penny.
If you have a coin dealer nearby you, you might want to see what he or she says about your coin when inspected in-person, because I really cannot find anything about a 1963 cent with doubling on the back....
I have a 1963 penny that has been partially double stamped on the back. Is this worth anything? Thanks!
hi joshua, millions of thanks for your advice, i really appreciate that. yes, it help me a lot. thanks again.
jangchub
Hi, Jangchub,
You're welcome---I'm happy to help. The 1943 steel cent is a really neat coin that every collector of Lincoln cents should have. However, it is not a valuable coin (worth about 20-50 cents if in typical, worn condition without corrosion or damage).
The 1940s and 1950s pennies with the "D" stamp (also called a mint-mark) really are pretty common and are worth a few cents apiece if they are worn, but they are increasingly becoming harder to find in circulation. They are great coins to start a nice Lincoln cent collection with, if you want.
You can go to most any bookstore and buy a blue coin folder for $3-4 and be able to store the collection away and begin building a complete set of Lincoln cents, if that is something you would care to do. It can be an exciting challenge....
The 1776-1976 half dollar your sister owns is worth only face value if it is copper-nickel (and worn) and about $3-4 if it is the 40% silver variety. You can tell if the half dollar is copper-nickel because the color of the coin will be about as grey as most of today's dimes and quarters, and you will also see a copper-colored ring around the edge of the coin.
If your sister did not want the coin anymore, and it is copper-nickel, she could simply spend it and not lose any money (because, if worn, it is worth only face value anyway).
If she has the silver version, she can go to any coin dealer in her town and she should be able to pick up at least a couple to a few bucks from it.
I hope this helps you,
-Josh
my sister owned half dollar coin which says 1776-1976. she wanted to knnow where she can trade it. could anyone give me some advice please.
thanks
hi joshua, thanks for your comment. i did check the "word liberty" it didn't stamp doubled, but i found one of them has sign "d" also i have few 1940's -1950's with sign "d".are they valueable penny or useless? oh yes i do have one steel 1943 penny too. he he.....
jangchub
Four copper pennies from 1955? If these are United States coins, then they would normally be worth about 2-5 cents apiece if worn.
HOWEVER, I do urge you to check these 1955 pennies for any signs of the design on the "heads" side (front, or "obverse") of the coin for doubling in the image.
For example, if it looks like the word "Liberty" has been double-stamped, you should have the penny examined by a coin professional. You may have the rare 1955 doubled-die penny, and that is worth almost $1,000 even in well-worn grades.
Good luck!
i am sorry guys, i did mistake, i have 4 ccopper penny in 1955. could anyone tell me how much it cost please.
Jangchub,
The values will vary based on the grade of your coins, but the 1897-O Liberty Head (Morgan) dollar is worth about $15 for the lowest circulated grades, and up to $500+ if in uncirculated grades.
The 1945 nickel ("5 penny"?) does have a bit of silver in it and should net you around 75 cents, depending on the prevailing price of silver when you sell.
i have one dollar coin of liberty head in 1897-o and 5 penny in 1945. could anyone tell me how much it worth, because i am trying to sell some one, i'll ve highly appreciate if anyone could give me some suggestion.
thank you
jangchub
Kristina,
1943 steel pennies are actually pretty common and, in well-worn condition, are worth not more than 25-50 cents---and usually less than that if the coin is heavily worn or has signs of corrosion.
I own a 1943 Steel wheat pennies in fair condition. I was just wondering if anyone knew how much it was worth, and if I should sell it?
I work at a bank and everytime I come across a wheat penny I "buy" it and add it to my collection. I have some from every decade starting in the early 1900's. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for that would tell me if they are worth anything?
I also have 8 rolls of factory rolled wheat pennies (Brandt Inc-Watertown Wis USA) They were traded in by a little old lady a few years ago and I assume she had been holding on to them for years. From not opening them I can see the dates range from the 30's to the 50's. Do I open them or leave them rolled?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Anita
I have a 1942 penny with the first four letters of America Missing. it liiks like something was laid over it when the metal was soft.
Hi, Justin:
Hmm...I am thinking what you actually have is a 1903, not 1803, penny; Indian Head pennies were made from 1859 to 1909.
1903 Indian Head pennies, while considered common among collectors, are worth at least $1-2 each (in very worn grades, and up to $10-20 in the lightly worn grades) so long as they have not been cleaned, dented, scratched, or otherwise damaged.
No matter the value, any Indian Head penny is a neat thing to have---quite a piece of old Americana you have in your hands there!
William,
A lot of people want to clean their coins to make them look shiny and new. However, in fact, cleaning your coins will actually make them less valuable to most collectors because usually it is preferred that coins present their natural, aged color.
It's sort of the old "fine wine" idea here---that deep chocolate brown most old pennies show is a treasured thing that can take decades to form but only seconds to ruin with vinegar, baking soda, or other harsh cleansers and abrasives.
If your coins have a lot of loose dirt on them, you can use a quick immersion of water to remove the loose sediment then gently PAT (not rub) the coins dry with a soft cloth.
Otherwise, I highly recommend you leave the coins alone.
i was just wondering if anyone knows how much a 1803 indian head penny is worth?
I have some old pennies i would like to clean them is it ok and do you have any suggestions?
This was a very good artic.
Krissy,
A book I really like is "A Guide Book of United States Coins," by R.S. Yeoman and Kenneth Bressett. It is a book that covers all kinds of U.S. coins, is extremely comprehensive, full of price lists, highly informational, well respected, and costs less than $15.
Keep in mind that prices listed in the book are catalog values---if you sell the coins to a coin dealer, you may receive somewhere between 50-80% of those values, so long as the coins are not cleaned or otherwise damaged.
You can find a copy of "A Guide Book of United States Coins" on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Official-Red-Book-United-States/dp/0794824943/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226100907&sr=8-1
is there a book that i can buy that tells the how much certain pennies are worth .. my grandma has been saving pennies since she was little and has BIG jars and bottles filled and gave them to me and told me about how they maybe be worth money ~
Hygie,
A 1980-D penny is very common and worth only a few cents even if uncirculated.
As far as the gold color is concerned, it could be the result of a few things. Not being able to see the coin myself, I can't do a good job of telling you exactly what is going on, but I suspect that what happened to the penny was that it may have been exposed to a chemical that would discolor the copper, making it look a different color than typical.
If the gold color you are talking about is a little deeper yellow or even orange, then what you are likely looking at is a 1980-D penny that had been in bank rolls or in another protected location all these years and was probably just released into circulation recently. Uncirculated copper pennies can take on all hues of color ranging from yellow or gold to red and brown.
There is the chance that some person took it upon himself or herself to gold plate that 1980-D penny, but even then the amount of gold would be so minor that the coin would probably not be worth more than a few dollars, at the most. I hope this insight helps.
I have found a 1980 penny with what looks like a D mint mark on it. It has a bright gold color. Is it real? Is it worth anything?
I have a 1900 cooper Indian Head Penny and I am trying to find out if it is worth anything. I also have a silver Indian Head Nickel but I cannot read the year on it.
ylli:
The coin that got me started in coin collecting many years ago...while a neat find, the 1941 penny is worth somewhere between 3-10 cents if worn.
i have found a penny from 1941 i dont know if its worth anything can somebody tell me where i should go see if its worth anything???????????
found 1907 penny want to sell. ???????
I have a 1901 penny. and also alot of wheat pennys what do I look 4 to see if worth something? I have many coins I know I'm sitting on a goldmine I just don't know what to do with them... My collection started with my great grand father; and thats OLD
hey linette!!!! i got a 1943 silver or steel penny too !!!!! can somebody tell any web or place where i can get information.
I HAVE A GOLD PENNY FROM 1968, AND A 1943 SILVER OR STEEL PENNY....
I found a penny marked "copy" what do I have?
i found a silver penny from 1943..what should i do with it
i have a 1936 wheat penny and i also have a 1955 i was wondering how i determine if it is real and where do i trade it for mooney?!
I have a 195 wheat penny. That is not a mistake, the date on the penny is 195 there is no four number. Just asking to see if this is a defect from the mint of something else. If it is a defect from the mint what is it worth. Thanks
i have a silver 1991 penny and i need to know if its worth anything i tried to research it online and the only thing i saw said that it could be if the copper was never put over the mint.
I have a Indian head penny that is from 1897 and it is a wheat penny could anyone tell me the value of this?
thank you
i have a 1944 wheat penny is it worth anything it also has a little "s" under the date
Liz,
While it is getting much harder to find Lincoln "wheat" cents (produced 1909-1958) in circulation, the 1957 date is neither rare nor very valuable. Worn 1957 pennies are worth only a few cents. Still though, finding a wheat cent in circulation always makes my day!
I got a penny that says in the front 1957 and of course it has lincoln but the back is unusual it says one cent then united states of america with like two wheat leafs on each side and on the top it says E. Pluribus. Unua. I have never seen this kind of penny before maybe its rare maybe not can someone tell me please!!??
Lauren,
"In God We Trust" first appeared on our money when, in 1864, it debuted on the 2-cent coin.
I have s 1919 penny that is unstamped (no date or alhabet). Can someone tell me what it could be worth? Thanx
when was "In God We Trust" first put on our money?
i have a 19 40 wheat penny im just wondering how much its worth ?
i have a 1943 silver wheat penny. anyone intrested?
Can anyone tell me the value of a 1913 penny, description: PF64 RB, Cert # 128171-011 450
thanks
I have a 1933 penny with a wierd head of a girl how much is it worth??????????
im not much of a colector
i have9 1963 and 11 1974 pennies i was wondering how much they are worth
i have a 1858 penny and a 1904 half a dollar can someone tell me the value....
Do you still have the penny? How much do you want? How do you know it's copper? What condition is it in? I will buy it from you if infact it is a true 1943 copper penny for my collection.
I have a 1974 Lincoln penny. Just wondering, were there copper pennies made later in the same year?
Mine looks copper, but I can't find many articles on the subject. Help?
i have a 1943 silver penny but it sticks to the magnet is it worth a lot of money
Is there such a thing as a 1851 penny?
I looked through my old coins today and I do indeed have a 1943 copper USA 1 cent but is in very bad shape, pitting, scratches, barely make out the date, What should this coin be worth ?
ohh hey i also have a 1955 with the letter d under it and a 1952 with the letter s under that one is it worth anything? thanks
hey guys i have a 1965 penny gold looking with no letter printed under the date iono if its rear or a fake? help plez
I HAVE A 1943 COPPER PENNY. HOW AND WHO DO I SELL IT TO.
THANKS
BRIAN
609-882-5027
I have a certified 1955 full red MS 69 lincoln cent, does anyone have any idea what it is worth ? I also have a un-certified 1943 zinc 1 cent that has a factory mint error, the date says 19
All circulating pennies at that time were struck in zinc-coated steel because copper was needed for the Allied war effort.
Really all? NO!
About 12 examples are known to have been struck by the Mint, evidently by accident, when copper-alloy 1-cent blanks remained in the press hopper when production began on the new steel pennies.
The highest amount paid for a 1943 copper cent was $112,500 on December 22, 1999. Because of its collector value, the 1943 copper cent has been counterfeited by coating steel cents with copper or by altering the dates of 1945, '48 and '49 pennies.
I have 1943D real copper penny anyone know anthing about this penny for more info.
I have a 1943 penny steel cent.That's all I know about it.Can you tell me about it?
where is the best place to sell some of these rare coins, do they take a percentage?
Thanks.
I HAVE A U.S. 1970 UNC. ONE CENT PENNY WITH THE DATE STAMPED AND ABOVE THE DATE IT IS STAMPED WITH DATE 7-20-69 AND ABOVE THAT DATE IT IS STAMPED WITH THE SPACE SHIP AND THE MAN ON THE MOON. CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHAT I HAVE AND WHAT IT WORTH? I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE ON A PENNY. I BOUGHT AN ESTATE ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO AND YESTERDAY I WAS GOING THROUGH MY SAFE AND FOUND THIS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
THANK'S
hi i have a 1941 pennie and i would like to know how much it is worth.
i have a 1919 wheat penny in pretty good condition. what is the value of it?
I have a 1985 zinc coated steel penny sharp edges very well defined is this a mint mistake or what
I have a 1952 penny and the 2 is printed upside down. anyone know anything about this?
i have a 1857 flying eagle penny. are they worth anything?
all i know is that it is worth alot more than 1 cent for sure =]
I have a 1940 penny i was wondering if it worth anything!
I have a silver 1958 penny that was my grand fathers. its in pretty god condition and has the free mason sign that has been indented into it.
do you know if its worth something?
Hi I have started collecting old coins recently and I have a 1921 penny its not in perfect condition. I also have a 1947 D penny in great condition they both are copper, I did your magnet trick just because. Can you tell me any thing about them?