What Did I Keep What Do I Not.

It would be much easier to give you suggestion, if we
knew what you coins you have and why your thinking you
should keep any of them.

Are you going to be a collector ... or maybe as a investment.

Personally I keep:

Pennies from 1982 and earlier. In Mid 1982 they switched the penny from mostly copper to mostly zinc.
Nickels from 1960 and before, although I have been know to throw back some very poor 40's and 50's coins. Not a ton of value in lesser conditions but sometimes you gotta save the old stuff.
Dimes and Quarters from 1964 and earlier (silver content). I also save 1976 Quarters but there is no real value to them, I just like them.
Halves from 1970 and earlier (silver content). I also save any real nice examples of other years and the occasional NIFC one that pops up.
As far as Dollar coins, I save any Ike or SBA, there are no real value to most of them that pop up but I like them. Anything older than Ike's are unlikely to pop up in circulation unless Junior cashes in Grandpa's collection. As far as the bronze ones I don't usually bother unless one catches my eye.

On newer coins I check for things like Proofs, any NIFC coins, error or varieties or a coin that just screams at me to keep.

Any foreign coins I see I save. When I lived in Illinois Canadian coins were common but they seem to be less common here in Arizona, surprising due to the fact that half of my neighbors are Canadian snowbirds.

As far as names, "Penny" is perfectly fine for US Cents, just as "Nickel" is for the 5 Cent coin. They are not official names but perfectly acceptable.

I would pick up a 2013 or 2014 RedBook or blackbook... those should have all info up through 2011/2012, and you should be able to find one used for just a couple bucks.

The rest of the members have summed things up quite well. Generally speaking, every coin from the mid-50s or earlier is worth at least a small premium over face value. However, aside from the silver half dollars, there are only a few coins in circulating that have enough value to buy you a value meal from McDonalds.

The real value is in variety and error coins, but that is a very deep pool for a beginner to dive into. To give a brief peek:

1. WAM cents from 1998-2000 (click the link for a picture). $5-20 for 1998 or 2000, $25-100 for 1999.

2. 1992 and 1992-D CAM. $1,000-5,000 for 1992-D, $5,00-25,000 for 1992.

3. Wisconsin State Quarter with an extra leaf on the ear of corn: $25-50

4. 1970-S cent small date: $20-50

5. 2007 George Washington dollar without edge lettering: $20-100

6. 2000 Sacagawea dollar from Cheerios packaging: $2,000-10,000

Huh. I get such huge quantities of 83-D nickels that I don't bother keeping any.