You should keep all years of pennies, as they can be potentially valuable. There are some years of pennies that are especially valuable to collectors, such as the 1909-S, 1914-D, 1922-D and 1931-S, though they are harder to find.
More common years worth keeping include those from 1943 (which have a steel core as opposed to the more typical copper) and 1955, which are double-die errors with clear doubling of the imprinted digits.
In addition, misprinted pennies can be valuable, such as pennies with off-center strikes or wedges. So, in short, keep all the pennies you can find, as the monetary and collector’s value of many years of pennies can add up over time.
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Are all pennies before 1982 worth more?
No, not all pennies before 1982 are worth more. The value of individual pennies varies based on several factors, such as condition and scarcity. Generally speaking, pennies minted before 1982 tend to be worth more because they contain 95% copper and 5% zinc—the composition of pennies changed from 1982 onwards, and pre-1982 pennies are considered more valuable for that reason.
However, the value of these coins is not only determined by the composition, but rather by a few factors, such as whether the penny is in good condition, date and mint mark of the penny, the grade of the penny proclaimed by the Professional Coin Grading Service, and the rarity of the coin.
For example, the 1909-S VDB penny is extremely rare, and can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, while a common penny from the same era may only be worth a few cents. So, although pennies before 1982 tend to have a greater value than those produced after 1982, this is not always the case.
What is the difference between pre 1982 pennies and post 1982 pennies?
The main difference between pre-1982 pennies and post-1982 pennies is the composition of the coins. Pre-1982 pennies were composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc, while post-1982 pennies are composed of 97.
5% zinc and 2. 5% copper. This change was made because pre-1982 pennies were too expensive to produce due to the rising cost of copper, so a cheaper metal had to be used.
The physical appearance of the coins also differs. Pre-1982 pennies have a light brownish color and a smooth surface, with some variation in the surface metallic sheen. Post-1982 pennies have a more silver-like color and are more prone to tarnishing, due to the increased amount of zinc present in the composition.
The size and shape of the coins remain the same, however.
Additionally, pre-1982 pennies tend to be more valuable to collectors due to the fact that there are fewer of them in circulation. This makes them more rare and thus more valuable, as opposed to post-1982 pennies which are more common and not as highly sought after.
As a result, if you happen to come across a pre-1982 penny, you should consider counting yourself lucky!.
What is a penny from before 1982?
A penny from before 1982 is a Lincoln Memorial Penny, which is a one-cent coin produced by the United States Mint since 1909. The design initially featured the bust of President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and a pair of wheat ears on the reverse.
Beginning in 1959, the portrait was modified to feature the Lincoln Memorial in the reverse and the wheat ears were moved to the obverse. All Lincoln Memorial pennies produced before 1982 were made out of a 95 percent copper alloy and 5 percent zinc.
These coins were produced in Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco mints and sported the “D”, “P” or “S” mint mark, respectively. As the price of copper rose dramatically in the early 1980s, pennies were changed to be made of 97.
5 percent zinc and 2. 5 percent copper with a thin copper plating.
Why is the 1999 penny worth so much?
The 1999 Penny is a valuable coin mostly due to its rarity. Only 2,100,010 of them were minted as part of the Lincoln Cent series, making it a rare collectible. This came as a surprise to many, as they had incorrectly assumed that the entire year’s production of Lincoln Cents would include the so-called “Wide AM” reverse design, where the “AM” in “AMERICA” was spread out.
It turned out that only a few of the coins produced that year had this wide “AM” spread and the rest had the more commonly seen closer set “AM”.
Due to the rarity of this version of the penny, it has become highly sought after by collectors and can command a high price. Typically, a 1999 Wide AM Penny in circulated condition can be worth anywhere from $70 to over $2,700, depending on the coin’s condition.
Uncirculated coins, with no signs of wear, can be worth around $200 to over $4,000 depending on their quality.
Which pennies are worth keeping?
It is worthwhile to keep some pennies, as they can be quite valuable. One of the first pennies to look out for is any of the Wheat Ears Pennies, which were minted between 1909 and 1958. These pennies contain an image of two ears of wheat on the reverse side, with “One Cent” written above.
These pennies are much rarer than newer coins and can be worth anywhere from a few dollars to tens of thousands.
Another valuable penny is the 1943 Steel Wheat Penny. These coins were mistakenly made from steel instead of copper and are silver-grey in color. They are very rare and can be worth a few hundred dollars, depending on the condition.
Any penny minted between 1909 and 1814 with an “S” mintmark is also worth keeping, as it will likely be a much rarer find.
While all Lincoln Pennies from 1909- present day are readily available, the ones from 1959 to present may contain errors worth more money. These errors include off-center strikes, die rotation, and doubling.
Finally, keep an eye out for any pennies with a date of 1793. These Smooth Edge Pennies, or Flowing Hair Pennies, are incredibly rare and any examples found could be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
In general, any pennies with a date between 1909 and 1958, any Steel Wheat Pennies from 1943, and any Lincoln Pennies from 1959 and present should be kept in case they have any errors or defects. It may also be worth taking a closer look at any pennies from 1793.
Why is a 1982 D penny rare?
The 1982 D penny is considered to be a rare penny because it has a very low mintage. According to the United States Mint, only 8,725,514 1982 D pennies were minted. This was particularly low in comparison to other pennies minted during the same year, such as the 1982 Lincoln Cent, which had a mintage of 3,269,312,111.
This incredibly low mintage makes the 1982 D penny a rare find and highly valued by numismatists and coin collectors. Furthermore, it is also believed that some of the 1982 D pennies were accidentally made from copper-plated zinc.
These coins are particularly desirable and extremely rare, making them especially desirable to coin collectors.
How can you tell if a 1982 penny is a large date?
To determine if your 1982 penny is a large date variety, you should first look at the size of the numbers and letters in the date. The large date 1982 penny will have a much more bold font compared to the small date variety.
Furthermore, the 8 in the date will have an extended stem that can be seen with the naked eye, mainly located above the 2. Additionally, you can also measure the distance between the 2 and the 8 as well as the other numbers and letters in the date.
The large date variety will have considerably longer distances between each letter and number. Finally, if you have a magnifying glass, you can get a closer look at the dots in the top and bottom of the 8 in the date.
With the small date, the dots will be closer together and more condensed whereas the large date will have more spread out, rounder dots.
How much is a copper penny before 1982 worth?
A copper penny before 1982 is worth approximately 2. 5 times its face value, or 2. 5 cents. It is worth more to collectors, however. The approximate value of a pre-1982 copper penny is based on its condition and the date it was minted.
Copper pennies minted before 1959 are typically worth between 3 and 4 cents each. Pennies minted between 1959 and 1982 still contain 95% copper but due to some changes in the production process, they are only worth about 2.
5 cents each. It is important to note that any penny that is mostly or completely bronze in color is likely from 1942-1945 when the US Mint was using steel coated with zinc during World War II. These pennies have a value of a few cents, however they are not made of copper and they are not worth much more than face value.
Is a 1979 penny worth anything?
1979 pennies may still have some value, depending on their condition and the type of penny. In general, a 1979 penny is worth about 2 cents. However, some 1979 pennies can be worth quite a bit more if they are rare varieties.
The most valuable known penny from 1979 is a 1979-S proof penny, which can be worth up to $2,000 or more. Additionally, the 1979 penny has three other variations, which can be worth up to $30 apiece with the right conditions: the 1979-D penny (minted in Denver), the 1979-S penny (minted in San Francisco), and the 1979-P penny (minted in Philadelphia).
Additionally, pennies made of 95% copper rather than the standard 97. 5% zinc are worth significantly more. Finding these coins depends a lot on luck, but it is still worth looking through your loose change and doing a little investigative work to see if you have one of these valuable coins!.
How rare is a 1982 small date copper penny?
1982 small date copper pennies are relatively rare. They are a popular item among coin collectors, who are constantly on the lookout for them due to their rarity. According to CoinTrackers, the composition of this coin is 95% copper, 3% zinc and 2% tin, and it contains approximately 2.
5 grams of copper. The coin itself has a diameter of 19. 05mm. As such, it is incredibly unique compared to other coins from the same period.
In regards to how rare a 1982 small date copper penny is, experts suggest that only about 15 million were minted, making them much more difficult to find than coins from other years. Additionally, many of these coins have likely been lost, worn down, or melted for their copper and tin.
Those that remained in circulation are often valuable to collectors, and can be found graded anywhere from Fine-12 to MS-67. In either case, these coins are becoming increasingly difficult to find and their value is constantly increasing.
Is it worth saving pre 1982 pennies?
Yes, it is worth saving pre-1982 pennies as these contain 95% copper. Copper is a valuable metal since it does not corrode easily and can be used in a large variety of industrial application. This makes pre-1982 pennies a potential collectible item as well as a potential source of earnings.
In terms of value, pre-1982 pennies can be worth more than the one cent face value. Each of these coins is worth in the region of two to three cents depending on the grade. Higher grade coins can be worth more while circulated coins are usually worth a few cents each.
As such, pre-1982 pennies can play an important role in a coin collection and offer a potential source of income as well as save value over time.
To get a good estimate of the value, it is important to find an expert in the field of numismatics. They can help you find out the true value of pre-1982 pennies in terms of the current market. Furthermore, numismatic clubs and coin clubs are a great way to connect with other experienced collectors who can help you find and preserve valuable coins, as well as guides to help beginners to collect coins.
In conclusion, pre-1982 pennies are definitely worth saving as they can save you value over time and also be seen as a potential source of income. It is important to seek a professional to get a good estimate of their worth.
Should you keep pre 1982 pennies?
Yes, you should keep pre 1982 pennies. The pre 1982 pennies are made from 95% copper and 5% zinc, whereas the post 1982 pennies are made from 97. 5% zinc and 2. 5% copper. This makes the pre 1982 pennies much more valuable than those made after 1982, as the copper content is much higher.
Collectors would pay a much higher price for pre 1982 pennies than those made after 1982 due to the higher copper content. Even if you don’t plan to sell them, pre 1982 pennies are a fun way of collecting coins with a slightly higher value due to their age and material makeup.
What is the melt value of pre 1982 pennies?
The melt value of pre 1982 pennies is the value of the metal they are composed of, which is primarily copper. According to the US Mint, pre 1982 pennies are composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc. The current market price of copper is around $2.
45 per pound. This means that the melt value of each pre 1982 penny is roughly 2. 12 cents. However, this value can vary depending on the current market price of copper. It’s important to keep in mind that this value may not reflect the true collectible value of the penny, which can be much higher depending on the condition of the coin and its rarity.
What year is the most sought after penny?
The most sought-after penny in the world is the 1943 copper penny, which is a rare and valuable penny due to an error in the minting process. The U. S. Mint accidentally released a small mintage of pennies that were made out of pure copper rather than the intended steel.
The total number of 1943 copper pennies is unknown, but estimates range between 40,000-100,000. This makes the penny incredibly rare, and due to its low mintage and historical significance, it is also one of the most valuable coins in the world.
A grade-3 1943 copper penny can sell for upwards of $84,000, while a grade-1 uncirculated penny can command an astonishing $2. 7 million.
