What To Do With All These Wheat Cents?

Got an idea for you.

I've heard a few people, such as yourself, say that they caught the bug by finding a wheatie, buffalo nick or whatever it may be. Instead of dumping those back into circulation take them to school with you, or to the kids section of your local library, anywhere a kid can run across them, and just drop a few here and there. It's pretty easy to take a couple with you and fish one out every now and again and just drop it on the carpet or wherever the kids are. I've been doing this with old world coins and other odds and ends that would otherwise just clutter up the place (you all know what I'm talking about heheh) for quite a while. The librarians in the kids section are wise to me now but they stil think it's kinda cool when some kid runs across something I've planted and has a cow over it. I dropped some at the local middle school a few weeks ago as I was walking in and while I was checking in at the front desk the athletic director came in with one of them in his hand. It was kinda funny seeing this big ex-jock (probably about 6'6" or so) checking out this old coin just like one of the kids would. Realistically I'm probably not really creating any new collectors but I can't think of a better use for these relatively worthless coins than brightening some kids day a bit. But then you never can tell........

they're really actually not worthless to me.

D. I have them in a bag and I'm saving them! That's my primary reason for roll hunting cents (that and continuing to upgrade my Whitman folders). I don't think that the common dates in the 40's and 50's will every really be worth much since so many were minted and are still around. The other thing you can always do is to donate them to a local coin club for young collectors to go through. If you sprinkle some 20's, 30's and S mints in there it would be worth their while.

There is another way of thinking.
I am a bit older than you, but haven't been activelt hubnting over 4, or 5 years. I have every wheat I have ever received, whether searching a box of cents, or happening to run across one, laying on the ground. maybe dropped, or maybe "planted. either way, I have them all . most jhave been checked and put into solid date, MM rolls. Some day, I might want to check thru one for a newly found variety, ot look for an error, ()one of those that is not worth a premium, but like the die breaks, some are quit notworthy, and as such are interesting to some collectors) I don't know who will receive them, much less what thety will do with them after receiving them. cash them in at the bank, or maybe sell them to a dealer. not my problem. you, being young, and having your life ahead of you, might think of just holding on to them, and, see what a roll of "run-of-the-mill-circulated cents will be worth. As for grading, best thing is to learn to grade, but if not that interested, yet, go bu the lowest grade in the Red Book, or Get coin Peices, or other rag, anf check their listings. it will give you an idea as to what you have. last, but not least, consider the bullion value, or "melt value". Copper has risen in value a great deal, and in time will be worth the time, and trouble to save. There are many other ideas, out there, but this is "my way". Enjoy what you have ahesad. I have enjoyed that which has passed, in my life. A young 85 year-old collector.

Dick

OK!

Just hang on to them. I draw the limit at one roll per date. I keep my 50 best of each date only.

My dad was just a "kid" when he started saving indian head and wheaties when he lived in CA. He left CA in 1930 with the family and returned to Canada with those pennies and throughout his entire life - he never spent a US wheatie or indian head pennie. I have a great collection, lot of duplicates but now my grandchildren are starting to show interest in "papa's pennies". A pennie doesn't buy much these days so save your wheaties. Who knows - perhaps some day your grandchildren will appreciate them.

how about a newbie coin collecter : )