1917 Wheat Cent

The good thing is that it is 98 years old. The bad thing is that it is damaged. Who knows what this coin has been through over its lifetime. What I can guess is that it suffered a series of scratches that looks intentional. Also it was glued to something at one point.

Even if not damaged in low circulating grade it has little value. Still this is probably the reason I found it in circulation. Even a casual collector would notice the damage and think it is not worthy to add to a good collection.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1917
Mintage: 196,429,785
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.30 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.

1950-S Wheat Cent

Finally finished the 1950 cent series, which is just Philadelphia, Denver, and San Fransisco. Overall any cent from the '50s is still easy to find but to finish the series takes time. I need four cents to finish this series and most are the S mint mark.

While I am still finding older cents I just noticed I have not found any new 2015 coins. By this time I usually have at least one and seen several. Oh well it has been a harsh winter around here so the flow of currency is slow.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1950-S
Mintage: 118,505,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 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.

1928 Wheat Cent

Haha I was just complaining how difficult it was to find cents from the 1920s and here is another one I found. I guess they are not as scarce as I first thought.

Only the fourth 1920s cent I found since starting this blog almost ten years ago. The more time that passes the more difficult it is to find older coins. This one is worn and seemed to have been cleaned at some pint but it is still almost 90 years old so it is a keeper.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1928
Mintage: 134,116,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.20 in G-4

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.

1927 Wheat Cent

Of all the decades of wheat cents the 20s are the most difficult for me to find in my change. Although in total other decades produced less coins these years are hoarded more. The famous No D 1922 cent made people search and keep most 1920s coins.

As you can tell this one has verdigris damage likely from a hole in the coin holder. There also seems to be red gunk on the back similar to old used to hold coins in place back in the day. Still a neat find just for the age.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1927
Mintage: 144,440,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.20 in G-4

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.

1934 Wheat Cent

In the early 1930s they drastically cut back on coin making, by 1934 the economy was recovering so they increased it by hundreds of millions. This 1934 coin is common but still it is 80 years old.

When the economy is weak coin production is cut back. Simply put if poor or middle class people are not buying stuff then this happens. Once more people have money and use it then they start making more coins.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1934
Mintage: 219,080,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.15 in G-4

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.

1944-D Wheat Cent

Another 1944 cent but at least this is a Denver minted cent. Still common but not as easy to find as the Philly version.

I do enjoy the look of these older coins. Each one is unique and damaged in very interesting ways. Granted that lowers the value but I was never in it to get rich.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1944-D
Mintage: 430,578,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 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.

1948 Wheat Cent

Simple wheat cent made after WWII so it is common. 

The back is slightly damaged so it will never have more than metal value.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1948
Mintage: 317,570,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 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.

1950 Wheat Cent

First of the 1950s wheat cents. In total there are 26, not including errors or varieties. Easiest of all the wheat cents to find are from the 50s and yes they are also the least valuable.

Just five more 1950s wheat cents and I am done talking about them. The last few may be tough to find since they are San Fransisco cents. S mint cents are made in lower amounts and generally do not travel as far. Add to that that they are more likely to get put into collections since they are thought to be rare, even they they are not.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1950
Mintage: 272,635,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 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.

1951-S Wheat Cent

Wooo I finished finding every 1951 cents and it took only two and half years. This passive approach to collecting sure is take a long time.

Coins with the S mint are still quite common but finding them is always an added yippee. This one does have a slightly better value but it is still just twice the value of common wheat cents.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1951-S
Mintage: 136,010,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 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.

1958-D Wheat Cent

The last of the wheat cents listed in most cent guides. Almost a billion were made so finding one is common sine they lack any real collectors value if circulated.

The iconic wheat cents will probably stay in our change as long as we have change. Many people are pointing out how cashless societies are spreading. Not surprisingly most cashless areas are also wealthy places. Poor and rural places can also go without cash for some time as bartering and trading still works well. It is the middle class that tends towards cash as it is most efficient.  

While I can trade this cent for its two cent worth of copper or use it at face value to complete a purchase I think I will just go cashless and put it away in my wheat cent piggy bank.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1958-D
Mintage: 800,953,300
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 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.

1916 Wheat Cent

The oldest coin I found this year so far. Unfortunately judging by the pinkish hue and uneven washed out appearance it has been cleaned.

The reverse has holes typical of environmental damage. That and the obvious cleaning makes me think this was dug up by a metal detectorist and set back into circulation because it now has only metal value. I doubt the $0.02 in metal value is enough to make this a keeper unless you are a really bad at metal conversion math. I still will keep it but it is not a collectable coin despite it being almost 100 years old.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1916
Mintage: 131,833,677
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.30 in G-4 (this is about $0.02 because of cleaning)

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.

1930 Wheat Cent

Celebrating the 4th of July with an American classic. Wheat cents are the iconic coin that can still be found in your change. The famed reverse with the two wheat stalks reminds most people of a simpler time.

Granted those times were not necessarily better and anyone who reviews medical files from the 1930s will attest to that. Still America has become better each year just listen to what people complain about, those complaints are so trivial compared to what people had to deal with in the past.

Happy Independence Day!

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1930
Mintage: 157,415,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
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.

1918 Wheat Cent

Produced in record numbers at the time the 1918 cent is still common. Yes it is almost 100 years old and it is only 20 cents in low grade. Still a cool change find.

This one cent is pretty worn but still easily readable. I often laugh when I hear coins last at most 30 years in circulation. This coin is still usable and would probably be accepted at any vending, if vending machines still accepted pennies. Side note, I just saw a kids gumball machine that needed a dollar to give you either a giant gumball or a cheap toy prize that is way too much.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1918
Mintage: 288,104,634
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.20 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.

1953-S Wheat Cent

While circulating San Francisco coins are no longer made they were once common. Your best chance of finding one in circulation is the cent. Nearly all wheat cent have an S mint mark version. 

Although like I stated S mint coins were fairly common it is still one of favorite finds. Even the ones I find from the late 60s and early 70s are cool to me. I will keep them even though I know they will have little extra value. Most proof or special coins now carry the S mint mark and while you may find some in circulation they were made just for collectors.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1953-S
Mintage: 181,835,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 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.

1919 Wheat Cent

The oldest find this year at 95 years old.  Minted one year after WWI ended this coin has presumably been circulating longer than most people have been alive.

The coin is in decent shape although it is filled with gunk. I can imagine it was left somewhere for decades because most older continuously circulating coins would be almost worn flat. Maybe in jar or behind a wall before someone decide to reuse it.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1919
Mintage: 392,021,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.75 in VF-20

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.

1929 Wheat Cent

The second most common 1920s cent and even at 85 years old it is still common. It becomes more difficult to find coins that are 75 years or older which is why you should always try to keep older coins even if they are currently common.

The coins is sharp and the wheat heads on the reverse are clear and not worn. On the front Lincoln's cheek and jaw bones are separated but worn meaning the coin should be graded very-fine.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1929
Mintage: 185,262,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.75 in VF-20

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.

1955 Wheat Cent

Always take a double look at 1955 cents for doubling. There is a famous and very valuable error for this year, unfortunately it is almost impossible to find it in your change. Still there is a chance to find it so keep an eye out.

The best place to check for the error is in the date. It should be obvious if doubled but there are lesser more subtle doubling that has less value.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States of America
Year: 1955
Mintage: 330,958,200
Metal: 95% copper 5% tin and zinc
Value: $0.10 in VF

Do you have a wheat 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.

1944-S Wheat Cent

After finding over 25 no mint mark 1944 cents I finally get a one with a mint mark and it is San Francisco. This one has a slightly higher value and was made in one-fifth the quantity of the Philadelphia version. 

Initially I thought I got a regular 1944 cent until I got home and looked closely. The S mint mark is usually more rare in wheat cents and carries a 50% premium in most low and high grades, the mid-grades are often the same value.

Here's the stat...  
Year: 1944-S
Mintage:  282,760,000
Metal: 95% copper 5% zinc
Value: VF-20 $0.15 or EF-40 $0.20

Do you have a wheat cent and want to find out its value? Leave a comment and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1954 Wheat Cent

A smaller mintage than normal brings this 1954 a slightly larger value in low grades than other 1950s cents. Granted it is only about $0.10 but that is not bad for a common cent.

60 years old and the coin is not that bad. Most of the wheat lines are weak and half are gone or smashed so it probably will never have added value.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1954
Mintage: 71,640,050
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 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.

1935 Wheat Cent

Just to show how difficult it is to find older coin this is only the fourth 1930s cent I featured. Every year that passes it gets harder to find very old coins. Now the most common old find are from the 50s while just a decade ago 1940s coins were relatively common.

This one has a nice pattern that may have been caused by cleaning. Years after cleaning a coin the damage left behind is often nice looking. Value is not important since this is not a key date it will always be low.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1935
Mintage: 245,388,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.15 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.