Many people who ask about coin values often get the response ‘if the coin isn’t damaged, then a coin is worth…’
You’re probably asking yourself what damaged coins look like, though.
Does wear, by itself, cause damaged coins? In a word, no.
When coin collectors talk about damaged coins, they’re referring to coins that have been cleaned, have holes, are bent, are corroded, and simply have been messed up in one way or another.
Let’s talk a bit about damaged coins, look at a picture of a problem-free coin, and take some glimpses of some damaged coins.
These aren’t all the different types of damage found on coins, but they’re among the most common.
As one example, some of these wheat cents appear to be damaged or otherwise not problem-free:
A Problem-Free Coin
OK, the 1909-VDB Lincoln cent just below and to your right is the type of coin most coin collectors want – a coin with no damage whatsoever.
The photo shows a coin that, yes, is worn, but is otherwise what coin collectors call problem free.
It hasn’t been cleaned, isn’t bent, isn’t corroded, and otherwise just shows normal wear and tear for its age and grade.
This is the type of coin you should seek for your coin collection.
A problem-free coin is also the assumption whenever a value or price is given for most any coins.
When shopping for scarce or old coins, finding a problem-free coin can be rather difficult. However, it’s worth the wait (and the money) to buy a problem-free example anytime you want to buy a nice coin.
Problem-free coins are likelier to increase in value than damaged coins, and problem-free coins always have a market.
Damaged Coins
OK – here are the examples, complete with the graphic photos, of some types of damaged coins. Some of these photos are truly ugly, but – unfortunately – many coins are damaged.
Yes, true — some people buy damaged coins because they cost less than problem-free coins. These damaged coins, often called cull coins, do represent deeply discounted buying opportunities for coin collectors wanting to buy some otherwise expensive coins on the cheap. But damaged coins are generally not good investments and are often very hard to sell.
So, let’s take a look and see the type of coins most of us want to avoid having in our coin collections. If any of your coins look like the coins below, then most any of the coin values you’ll come across online or in books will generally not apply to those damaged coins.
Cleaned Coins
Cleaned coins probably represent the most type of coin damage encountered.
Cleaned coins can sometimes be hard to spot because they are either in the process of naturally retoning or because the person who cleaned them did what some might say is an expert job.
Most cleaned coins, however, will have a very obvious and unnatural color and brightness.
The coins in the photo just above include a cleaned 1937 Lincoln cent in the process of retoning, a freshly cleaned 1975-D Lincoln cent, and a 1986 Lincoln cent heavily rubbed with a pencil eraser.
Cleaned coins aren’t preferred by virtually any coin collectors.
And always remember — you should always avoid cleaning coins, no matter how tempting it may be!
Holed Coins
Coins are often used as jewelry. In many cases, coins used in jewelry are holed so they can be placed on a string, beads, or necklace.
Holed coins are worth only a fraction of their problem-free value.
By the way, there are many foreign coins which have intentional holes created by the mints at which those coins are made. These are worth their normal value.
The 1961 Lincoln cent above has a very distracting, obvious hole right in front of Lincoln’s chin.
Bent Coins
Bent coins are another common type of coin damage.
Coins can get bent in a number of intentional and accidental ways.
However a coin became bent, its value is reduced significantly from what it would have been worth without being bent.
You can see a slight but nevertheless completely unattractive bend in this 2000-dated Lincoln penny just above; the bend is most evident on the left side of the coin, where it reads LIBERTY.
Corroded Coins
Corrosion is a very common problem with copper coins.
In fact, corrosion is extremely common in areas of the country that are:
- humid
- wet
- hot
In addition, areas that have a lot of fumes are also unsuitable for copper to remain unharmed.
Coin corrosion can be avoided if coins are kept away from any type of dampness, chemicals, fumes, and temperature extremes.
Also, be sure to house your copper coins in sulfur-free, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) free coin albums and coin holders.
Generally speaking, copper coins should not be kept in any holders made of paper or standard cardboard.
The green Lincoln Memorial cent above is so corroded the date can’t even be read!
The brown-colored 1941 Lincoln cent just to the right isn’t quite as bad off as that green, bubbly Lincoln cent above.
But, unfortunately, this 1941 penny is still quite porous as can be seen in the countless pits and blackened areas all across the surface.
Related Posts
Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez
My love for coins and numismatics began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I've also been studying meteorology and watching weather patterns for years. I enjoy sharing little-known facts and fun stuff about coins, weather, travel, health, and living green with others.
Find me here:
