1992 Poland 5 Groszy

First Polish change find in almost a decade. I often confuse it with a Russian coin because of the stylized eagle. It also has RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA which is Republic of Poland and there is a small MW mint mark from the Warsaw mint under the bird's right foot.

The other side has 5 Groszy which is the denomination and 5 oak leaves. If this was a 2 Groszy it would have 2 oak leaves. The number of oak leaves are the same as the denomination for all modern Polish coins from 1-10 groszy.

Until Poland gets the Euro in 2019, if all goes well, I do not think I will get another coin from Poland anytime soon but at least it keeps me searching. When Polish euros are made they will circulate as easy as other euros.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Groszy / Poland
Year: 1992
Mintage: 103,784,000
Metal: Brass
Value: $0.05 in VF

Do you have a coin from Poland 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.

1975 Canada Cent

Someone's pen exploded. I assume by the pattern of dark spots on this Canadian cent that it was covered with ink, it could be grease but ink does get gunky when spilled.

Seeing how coins are held in your pockets and purses I am surprised more coins are not found with gunk. My biggest office/work is a pen exploding in my pocket. Unfortunately I always need a pen or two for my job and I keep them in blazer pockets close to my coins. Luckily nothing bad has happened but I have had barbecue sauce packet spill on my coins when it exploded in my pocket. Hey I just wanted some sauce for dinner!

This coin has no real extra value above metal value but even if it did the stains do not affect value as much as scratches, wear, and dents.

Here's the stats...

Type/Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 1975
Mintage: 642,618,000
Metal: 98% Copper, 0.5% Tin, and 1.5% Zinc
Value: $0.02 in F

Do you have a cent from Canada 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.

1949 Wheat Cent

Mmmm wheaties! I have been getting a bunch of wheat cents lately most are repeats featured here before but a few are suitable to showcase. This one is 65 years old and despite the many calls for its retirement this cent is holding up great.

The back is a bit gunky but the wheat heads are almost all full so that should keep the grade at fine, if not higher. The entire coin is heavily scratched but probably from circulation so it makes little difference. Unless this coin was uncirculated I would not expect a great value.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1949
Mintage: 217,775,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.05 in F-12

Do you have a wheat cent 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.

2005 Australia 10 Cents

Got this as a quarter in my change it has happened before with Australian dimes since they have the same specifications as U.S. quarters. In most countries coins tend to have the same metal composition and size with the U.S. and a few smaller countries who do not follow the standards.

Even the designs are similar a leader on the front and a bird on the back with the denomination. Sure we have an eagle while Australia has a lyrebird but they both probably taste like chicken.

I am also noting that it has been two years since finding my last Australian coin in my change. I have been saying that a lot. Apparently 2012 was a great year for finding coins while 2013 was pretty weak. Trust me 2014 has been beyond great for finding coins, not so much for currency. I can only guess the economy is better globally and that travel is become more common.

Here are the stats for this coin...
Type / Country: 10 Cents / Australia
Year: 2005
Mintage: 116,700,000
Metal: Copper-nickel
Value: $0.25 in VF
 
Do you have an Australian coin 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.

1993 British 20 Pence

Getting coins from Great Britain has become more common even with their odd shapes. I actually got two 1993 twenty pence coins as nickels on two separate occasions. 

As a collector I love the fact NYC is a tourist hotspot but as a resident it can be annoying. I would not receive even a fraction of these odd coins if I lived anywhere else. People from around the U.S. and the world often say they refuse to take non-local change. While in NYC it is so busy that as long as you pay most cashiers forgive the occasionally odd coin.

Europeans in NYC are often confused by our coinage and honestly make an effort to give the right change but if slip ups occur the cashier does not argue much. Same with New Yorkers attitude on receiving funny money, they often say whatever and pass it off next time they shop. I am one of the few people who actually seek out the wrong change.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 20 Pence / Great Britain
Year: 1993
Mintage: 123,124,000
Metal: 84% Copper, 16% Nickel
Value: $0.35 in VF

Do you have a coin from Great Britain 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.

1942-P Wartime Silver Nickel

1942 nickels were not all silver some were copper nickel. The reason was a wartime need for nickel to make weapons and ammunition. The mint began making normal copper-nickel coins early in 1942 but then switched to a  copper-silver-manganese alloy.

If you have a 1942 nickel just check the back to see if it is silver or not. The 35% silver coins are distinguished by a large mint mark above the building. Although silver prices are currently less than $20 it does add a large premium. Each wartime nickel has a current metal value of $1.13 but has been as high as $2.50 in recent years.

This change find is my first silver in about two years and because of that I have been double checking every nickel I come across, with great results. Nickel and dimes are the best place to look for circulating silver since the value is not high and coins designs have not changed much.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States of America
Year: 1942-P
Mintage: 57,873,000
Metal: 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese
Value: $1.25 in F-12

Do you have any nickel 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.

2006 RCM Logo Canada Dime

Just like yesterday's featured Canadian coin this one came in two circulating version. Both are copper-nickel plated steel but one has a P mint mark the other has the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) logo.

While the actual mintage of both version are not fully known they seem to be common and easily available. There is also a version with no mint mark but it was not issued for circulation and is much more scarce.

Here's the stats...

Type/Country: 10 Cents / Canada
Year: 2006 RCM Logo
Mintage: Some fraction of 312,122,000
Metal: 92% Steel, 5.5% Copper, and 2.5% Nickel
Value: $0.10 in Extra-Fine

Do you have ten cents from Canada 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.

1952-2002 Canada Cent

Almost two years since I found a 1952-2002 cent but that was the magnetic version with a P mint mark. This one is the more common non-magnetic version without any mint mark.

For a number of years Canada has been circulating cent coins made of two different metals. They have the zinc version like the U.S. but also make a cheaper steel core version. By making both they adjusted for rising metal costs while still keeping with tradition. Granted they stopped issuing cents altogether so they are saving the most in that way.

Here's the stats...

Type/Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 2002
Mintage: 716,367,000
Metal: 98.4% Zinc, 1.6% Copper
Value: $0.01 in F

Do you have a cent from Canada 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.

2007 Canada Cent, Steel Core

The are two types of 2007 Canadian cents one is magnetic the other is not. The steel core is magnetic and most common while the non-magnetic version is scarce and made with a zinc core. Both are copper plated.

Having found hundreds of Canadian cent I still always forget to check for varieties. These modern cents often are circulated with zinc and steel cores. Depending on current metal values their quantities change but it is mostly 90% steel core cents and 10% zinc core cents. Steel tends to be cheaper and still have the properties needed for coinage.

Hopefully I will take a second or two next time I find a 2006 or later Canadian cent and stick it to a magnet. Some of these variations are worth more so it is worth the extra time.

 

Here's the stats...

Type/Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 2007
Mintage: 938,270,000
Metal: 94% Steel, 4.5% Copper, 1.5% Nickel
Value: $0.01 in F

Do you have a Canadian coin 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.

2012 British 5 Pence

My found coins are backing up on my small desk so I will feature them more often. This one was given to me as a dime. British coins are the second most common foreign coin to find in this part of the U.S.

I did expect a rush in British coins thanks to the Olympics back in 2012. Normally half a dozen British coins in my change over the year is average. This year is only 3 months old and I have found 9 British coins. All are common and fairly new.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Pence / Great Britain
Year: 2012
Mintage: Not yet known.
Metal: Nickel-Plated Steel
Value: $0.10 in VF (very-fine)

Do you have a coin from Great Britain 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.

1992 Singapore Cent

This tiny little Singapore one cent was given to me by a friend who found it while working behind a register. This one cent is smaller than a U.S. dime so I am not sure how it was accidentally given in change.

Assume your computer has the proper language packets you can read the following: The front has the date, coat of arms and Singapore written in four languages, SINGAPURA 新加坡 SINGAPORE சிங்கப்பூர்.

The reverse has a what I assume are orchids.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / Singapore
Year: 1992
Mintage: 20,055,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Zinc
Value: $0.03 in Very-Fine

Do you have a coin from Singapore 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

1959 Canada Cent

Awww Queen Elizabeth II was so young on this coin. As you may notice they have updated her image a few times since these early cents were first issued. After 55 years the queen has changed a lot but this circulated cent seems to be holding up well.

There seems to be no shortage of Canadian coins in my change lately. It could be that the Canadians are secretly crossing the borders to buy stuff in America with there almost useless cents. Despite the price of things going up in the U.S. you still can buy thing that need a cent or four more to complete the sale. Using cent coins is not a bad idea especially since they are left behind almost anywhere.

I think I am averaging 3 cents found everyday. That is just over $10.00 a year which is a bad lunch or a small bill. That is just in pennies if I include other finds from the ground it is 6 times as much. I kind of feel bad the Canadians can no longer take advantage of this.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 1959
Mintage: 83,615,343
Metal: 98% Copper, 0.5% Tin, 1.5% Zinc
Value: $0.05 in Very-Fine

Do you have a cent from Canada 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

2005-D American Bison Nickel

This is the most common of the Westward Journey nickels yet it took me almost ten years to find one in my change. Again Denver coins tend to come around slowly but this one really took its time.

The coin is common and aside from the classic Bison on the reverse is not too special. Maybe I should have posted an Irish coin instead since it is St. Patrick's Day.

 Here's the stats for this coin...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States
Year: 2005-D / American Buffalo
Metal: 75% copper 25% nickel
Mintage: 487,680,000
Value: $0.05 at F-12

Do you have a recent nickel 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.

1964-D Nickel

There is a common myth that all pre-1965 coins are silver. That is not true for the nickel (five cent coin) it was still made of nickel. The dimes and quarters were once silver and what confuses it more is that wartime nickels from 1942-1945 did have some silver content.

The metal content on most nickels, including older ones, are 75/25 nickel/copper. That means in today's market it is a little over $0.04 in metal value. Hoarding 1964 nickels is not a great idea because even if value doubles that is not going to make you rich.

The last 1964-D nickel I found and posted had a double-clip error and was worth a few bucks at auction. Investing is coins is always sketchy but I would go for quality and rarity over quantity ever time.

Here's the stats for this coin...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States
Year: 1964-D
Metal: 75% copper 25% nickel
Mintage: 1,787,297,160
Value: $0.05 in VF-20

Do you have a nickel 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.

2010 Austria 5 Euro Cent

The Austrian euro coins are distinguished by their floral designs. Each coin usually has a flower, in this case the five euro cent has an Alpine Primrose flower.

FUNF EURO CENT probably means FIVE EURO CENT but I have little time to double check. Each eurozone country gets to choose a design and even change the design. Since this is possible the varieties are numerous and most people cannot tell what country the euro is from.

Luckily a word like funf is unique but most have few extra words. Designs like buildings on most euro coins often are difficult to search. A better way is to just browse all the euros of that denomination.

Here are the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Euro Cents / Austria
Year: 2010
Mintage: 63,700,000
Metal: Copper Plated Steel
Value: $0.15 in UNC

Exchange rate value is about $0.07 in the U.S.

Do you have any Euro coin 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.

Dateless Buffalo Nickel

It has been over two years since I last found a buffalo nickel in my change. This one is so worn that the date is not visible, this is not damaged just natural wear. The great thing is even without a date it carries extra value since the coin is a true classic.

Trying to narrow down a date I looked carefully for clues.

1. No mint mark. Means it is not a 1938.
2. All 4 legs, means it is not the 3-legged 1937 variety.
3. FIVE CENTS is in recess so it is not the 1913 Raised Ground type.

That leaves 21 possible matches from 1913-1937. Most are fairly common and without a clear date none of them would bring any real value. There are probably Buffalo nickel experts that could narrow down the list by subtle design changes but I do not know them off-hand.

Still it has a classic design and is commonly used in jewelery. I have seen them on pendants, cufflinks, and plated for other types of decorations. For that reason about fifty cents per coin that is not otherwise damaged is fair.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States
Year: 19??
Mintage: ????
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Value: $0.50 in G-4

Do you have an old nickel 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.

1957 Wheat Cent

The 1957 wheat cent is a classic and a bit more difficult to find your change than the 1957-D. There are almost four times as many Denver versions than the Philadelphia version. That is why I featured that one three times already while this is the first time seeing this cent posted.

Alas they are still common and hold little value over metal content in low grades.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1957
Mintage: 282,540,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.05 in F-12

Do you have an older cent 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.

1999 $1 Star Note, L-*

Another star replacement note from my change. This one is over a decade old and is very wrinkled. One of the reason I prefer collecting coins is the tend to hold up better in circulation.

That said I still enjoy the feel of bills and the fact they fit better in my wallet. Actually my wallet does not even have a pocket for coins. Dollar bills will be here for a while and if you seen the dollar coins you know that both are not very collectible in circulated shape.


Here's the stats for this bill...
Type/Federal Bank: $1 Star Note - Fort Worth / San Francisco
Year: 1999
Printings: 3,200,000
Printed: April 2002
Run: 4th from L09600001* - L12800000*
Value: $2.50 VF(this one is less)

Do you have currency 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.

1939 Wheat Cent

Got two of these in my change recently most from my change I get at lunch. I have been using cash for lunch and the bill is usually ending in .09 and that change has been loaded with old and odd coins.

The coins I get in my change are heavily circulated and probably will never be more than XF, most are G-4 or good. Tipping these days rarely involves change I would use bills and notes and keep the coins to search through later. If done right it is a good way to get change finds but being slightly off with the price of things will result in nothing worth searching.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1939
Metal: 95% Copper 5% Tin and Zinc
Mintage: 316,466,000
Value: $0.15 in G-4

Do you have a wheat cent 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.

2002 Ireland 20 Euro Cent

The most common Euro coins will most likely always be from 2002 and this Irish 20 euro cent is no different. It is common and has the same design as every other Irish euro coin.

The harp design and éire Irish name for Ireland has been used on coins for a long time. I think this coin has the most simple design among all the original euro coins.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 20 Euro Cent / Ireland
Year: 2002
Mintage: 234,575,562
Metal: Aluminum-Bronze
Value: $0.30 in Very-Fine

Do you have any Irish Euro 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.