New To Coins

to CCF!

The weight is the best way to tell the zinc from copper.

Welcome to CCF! Read,read,read....and ask questions here!

All pennies date 1981 and prior are copper. Those coined in 1982 can be either copper or zinc. Copper pennies weigh in around 3 grams Zinc pennies are about 2.6 grams or thereabouts. I'm not to technical.

Also don't forget about Canadian pennies. They are also copper but they were minted with varying amounts of copper until I believe 1996 and their weight was between 3.2 and 2.8 grams depending upon the year of coining.

If you're searching penny rolls be sure to keep the wheat backs seperate. There are a whole host of thing to check for in the line of pennies. Read some of the threads to get a feel of what to keep and to be on the lookout for.

Enjoy the game................

Meagan,

Glad to see your on your way to a lifelong hobby.

You have started out correctly by getting the Red Book and with pennies. Let's say that you may want to get a penny album to start your collection, I suggest a Lincoln Memorial cent album.

As it was said earlier, the easiest way to tell copper from zinc 82's is by weight. Eventually you will get a feel for them. As you probably already know, all pennies 1981 and prior are copper based. They are worth more than face value, no matter how bad the condition, for the copper alone.

Also, as stated earlier, find a cheap favorite coin and learn from it. If you are on a severe budget, begin with current sets, such as the national parks quarters, Presidential dollars, pennies and other such coins.

Finally, this is my own personal suggestion on whatever coin you choose print a grading sheet and begin to estimate grades as you go.

Lastly, go slow, it is inevitable that you will pay too much for something, get burned once and make mistakes. Relax and revel in the knowledge it has happened to all of us. We for the most part will offer the collective wisdom and an occasional good hearted poke in the ribs, to assist you on your way.

I hope that you find the enjoyment that we all do. Good luck in your new hobby!

For just starting out I would pick out and keep anything you like. If at a later date you decide you dont want them anymore you can always get rid of them then.

As far as what to look for from rolls basically anything that looks different. Some of the series older coins are silver definitely keep those, any of the older coins that are no longer made like the Buffalo nickels or Mercury dimes, and key dates which will vary for the different types of coins

Thanks for all the responses!

I have always kept any pennies that were 1982 or before because I knew they were copper, even before we started this coin collecting adventure. I also always keep wheat pennies. Just recently we have really started "collecting coins"

The other day, I got $5 worth of pennies from the bank and 6 out of the 10 rolls were wheat pennies. they also had a few old canadian coins and even an Indian Head penny. I am trying not to buy coins but I have bought a few and I am sure I have paid too much for them.

Thanks for the welcome and I look forward to learning a lot.
Also what is the difference between the red and blue book?
And do you guys buy the uncirculated and proof sets frm the mint each year? Which do you buy, the proof or uncirculated? Are these worth their $30 or so cost?

meagan!