My new oldest find came in with my regular change at a local store. It looks like it was buried for years then someone dug it out, cleaned off the dirt, and then watched as verdigris slowly ate the back. Knowing this coin had no value they just used it as it was originally intended.
This is the third time I found a 100+ year old cent and all of them had bad verdigris damage. Understandably there is no need to keep a coin with that infectious green stuff since it has no real value and will destroy your good coins. Yet I will keep this one.
Look at the poor little cent it has been abused and neglected. Judging by the red luster and lack of traditional wear marks I'm guessing it was buried within few years after being minted but this is just a guess.Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1887
Mintage: 45,223,523
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc
Value: $0.03 (Because of damage)...
(Welcome all from the Realcent Forum and let me clarify.
First this coin has obvious environmental damage: holes, spots, dented edges.
Second it has been cleaned badly leaving a haze all over the coin.
Third of course is the verdigris. )
I would have it at $0.20 if it wasn't cleaned.
Feel free to comment I'm always willing to learn and change.
That leads to the question, what is possible? Sure when roll hunting anything can pop up but from small change it is more difficult. Recently I went through a "jar" of coins and of the possible pennies commonly listed from 1959 to 2008 I found 108 out of 112.
Stretching it to 1887 it is becomes more difficult but still possible. For those who want a hobby and cannot or are not willing to spend any extra money then coin collecting is great. Again a hobby not an investment or get-rich quick plan. I recently had some harsh comments about the value of finds. This is the nature of collecting, rarity is just that rare not always valuable.
Am I upset that this 1887 cent is damaged and worth metal value? No.
It is the coolest thing to me that a 112 year old coin is floating out there and can still be legally used.
Do you have an old penny and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.
Super find! Reminds me of the condition that metal detectorists find coins in.
ReplyDeleteThat is the general hypothesis. How about your British change what is the oldest year seen? 1971?
ReplyDeleteHave they completely wiped out pre-decimal coinage?
Yeah, it's very very rare to see a non-decimal coin now... I think the oldest coin I've had post-decimal is early 1980's. Best ever find was that 1900 farthing Coinstar find.
ReplyDeleteAt least you have Coinstar finds this stretches the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteAmazing post on your Indian Head Penny circa 1887. My question here now is, would the value change if the coin of the same make and circa, was in better condition? Whereas all definition is visible.
ReplyDeleteIndian Head Penny circa 1887. My question here now is, would the value change if the coin of the same make and circa, was in better condition? Whereas all definition is visible.
ReplyDeleteWere all the details sharp but it had slight wear and no luster it would be considered extra-fine and it would be about $18.00.
From that point the more luster and less wear the higher the value up to several hundred dollars.
Yes Man, I am of the same opinion. The old the coin more value it can incur. Nice discussion here.
ReplyDeletethats a rare coin to get in chandge i once got a 1927 penny but that is my oldest
ReplyDeletethats a rare coin to get in chandge i once got a 1927 penny but that is my oldest
ReplyDeleteNot bad 1920s are tough years to find even if they are of little value.
i have the exact same coin that was made in 1897 and is in very good shape about the same shape as an average 1986 penny does any one know the value?
ReplyDeleteexact same coin that was made in 1897 and is in very good shape about the same shape as an average 1986 penny
ReplyDeleteAbout $3.50 in very-good.
About $8.00 in very-fine.
i have a old coin my great grandma gave me it's as big as a quarter it copper coloered it says one cent on one side and has a lady with a crown that says liberty on it on the other side what kind of coin is this? is it worth anything. please email me at elizlytle@yahoo.com if anyone has any answers.i'd really appericate it. Liz
ReplyDeletequarter it copper coloered it says one cent on one side and has a lady with a crown that says liberty on it on the other side what kind of coin is this?
ReplyDeleteWithout a year or better description or picture it is nearly impossible to say.
That is one ugly coin. Thanks for the shout out for realcent.
ReplyDeleteThat is one ugly coin. Thanks for the shout out for realcent.
ReplyDeleteYup and no problem.
me again how much is a
ReplyDelete1883 indian head cent worth good
1900 indian head ent worth very good liberty headband readable very deatailed
1883 indian head cent worth good about $5.00
ReplyDelete1900 indian head ent worth very good about $3.00
i want to know the value of a 1944 weat penny thats in fair or even great condition my email is tylergoble45@yahoo.com hit me up .
ReplyDelete1944 weat penny thats in fair or even great condition
ReplyDeleteAbout $0.20 at most.
DUDE! You should be glad you even found one (an Indian cent that is) .......I am still looking for one sadly.........
ReplyDeleteDUDE! You should be glad you even found one (an Indian cent that is) .......I am still looking for one sadly...
ReplyDeleteI am it was very cool to find, I'm sure you will find one if you keep looking.
I have an 1907 indian head cent that is about 5% clipped planchet. This coin has lots of damage. How much would that be worth?
ReplyDelete1907 indian head cent that is about 5% clipped planchet. This coin has lots of damage.
ReplyDeleteAbout $5.00 at most if too damaged then no extra value.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI prevously posted about a 5% clipped planchet indian head cent. I realized that the "damage" was just red stuff covering the coin. So I think it would grade either VF or EF. How much would it be worth now?
5% clipped planchet indian head cent. I realized that the "damage" was just red stuff covering the coin. So I think it would grade either VF or EF.
ReplyDeleteAbout $25.00
I have a 5% clipped planchet indian head cent, it is from the year 1905. The penny is in very good condition. How much would it be worth?
ReplyDelete5% clipped planchet indian head cent, it is from the year 1905. The penny is in very good condition.
ReplyDeleteAbout $15.00
When a penny is rated F or VG does it make the penny worth any more or less?
ReplyDeleteWhen a penny is rated F or VG does it make the penny worth any more or less?
ReplyDeleteYes.
F = Fine is also F-12
VG = Very Good is also VG-8
The score goes from 1-70
PO-1 is poor and barely readable.
MS-70 is mint state perfect and has never been touched.
So F is better and worth 50% more than VG, on average.
How much would a 5% clipped planchet indian head cent from 1905, rated F or VF be?
ReplyDeleteHow much would a 5% clipped planchet indian head cent from 1905...
ReplyDeleteF about $20.00
VF about $35.00
We have an old house and are doing some remodeling. My husband just found an 1875 Indian head penny in the floor boards. It is in pretty good condition- I can read the whole word "Liberty" across the indian's headpeice. What is the value of this penny?
ReplyDelete1875 Indian head penny in the floor boards. It is in pretty good condition- I can read the whole word "Liberty" across the indian's headpeice.
ReplyDeleteSounds at least very-fine (VF-20) about $70.00.
Thanks! Our daughters think this penny we found is pretty cool and are "fighting" about who gets to take it for show and tell tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Our daughters think this penny we found is pretty cool and are "fighting" about who gets to take it for show and tell tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSee if you can put it in a protective case or temporarily make a plastic envelope because each finger print and human sweat will lower the coins value.
Here is some info...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1875
Mintage: 13,528,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc
Value: $70.00 in very-fine
Hello, thank you for the blog. I have a 1938 US nickel. It is in very good condition. Would it be best to wait another 30 years or so. Do let me know what value it holds as of now and 30 years later. Thank you again.
ReplyDelete1938 US nickel. It is in very good condition
ReplyDeleteCurrently about $0.10 in 30 years it maybe about $1.00 if nickels still exist.
If nickels are no longer used then maybe $4.00.
Very-good is a low grade about 8 on a scale of 1-70 where 70 is considered perfect.
Nice find! The coin has enviromental damage. It is still worth $1. in febuary 2012, i was going through a box of cents and my first roll held a 1902 indian head cent in EF 45grade. It still has traces of red copper color in the cracks of the legend and in the bust. And has a slight cartwheel on it. Value?
ReplyDeleteThe coin has enviromental damage. It is still worth $1.
ReplyDelete--No like I explained it has verdigris damage as well as someone before attempted to clean it and ruined the surface.
1902 indian head cent in EF 45grade. It still has traces of red copper color in the cracks of the legend and in the bust. And has a slight cartwheel on it.
--About $15.00
Hi! I have several Lincoln cents with that green scale on it. Is there a eay to get that off my coins so they are at least legible? Thanks for your time.
ReplyDeleteI have several Lincoln cents with that green scale on it. Is there a eay to get that off my coins so they are at least legible?
ReplyDeletePure acetone, but any attempt at cleaning will be more damage.