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 Replies: 27 / Views: 4,650 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
Like many people, I have a pile of US pennies, nickels and dimes from the 1940's to the 1960's that I've been picking out of pocket change for years. None are in particularly good shape.
Recently I've started to feel like this is kind of pointless. There must be millions of these still in circulation, right? Or maybe not right.
Since I'm just getting started in coin collecting, I need to hear it straight: Is there any point to holding on to these coins, or are they still not worth any more than face value?
Thanks for being candid.
*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2253 Posts |
I keep all the copper cents I find because the copper is worth more than a penny. Any dime younger than 1965 is worth more than a dime because of the silver content. Not sure about the Jefferson's.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
You can flip bulk lots of wheat cents on ebay for 2-4x face. Charge for a flat rate box to ship, and you will get much more than a Coinstar will give you. Nickels from the 50s and earlier might make a very minor profit after selling fees. Unless there are any high condition, I would only sell on bulk. Bronze memorial cents won't sell for enough to recoup the face + shipping + selling fees. I am getting mine together to dump them for a gift card. As for them appreciating, I wouldn't count on it. A nickel in 1938 could buy you an afternoon at the movie theater. A 1938 nickel today might get you a pack of gum. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
I think you could likely generate a higher return using them at face value in several other avenues than sitting on it. It will likely be decades, and inflation could likely be greater than anything else resulting in a net loss for collecting the dust. Using that money (especially pennies and nickels) at local garage sales and reselling stuff on can easily double your money in the short term. The melt value of copper is only theoretical as it is illegal to melt them. Silver dimes would be the most advantageous of the coins to wait on until silver prices reach a point you are willing to sell for melt.
Edited by Collects82
10/25/2016 4:58 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Agree that copper cents are worth keeping, although I draw the line at 1958. And of course any pre-1965 silver coin. Aside from the '50-D, a few pre-1940 issues and the warnicks, the Jefferson series has little to offer after almost 80 years. Not much else of value (I suppose 40% silver Kennedys) that I can see except varieties and errors.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
A person can hoard about what ever they want. I have seen guys accumulate large amounts of Lincoln Cent and change in general. Over decades many thousands of dollars can be built up from just saving pocket change. Just understand most of it will not be worth over face value. Wheat cent can bring Two Cent each, if lucky a little more. Of course 90% silver is worth stacking. There are a few key and semi key dates that can have value. My suggestion ... if I was siting a lot of regular change I would use it to buy silver ... 90% or silver eagles. It might increase in value ..l and takes up less space. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
Any '82 or'83 nickel AU on up, as no mint sets were made these years. I see nics going 100X face regularly. Same with 10c, 25c and halves, although not as much, percentage wise. Edited by fioti
10/25/2016 5:39 pm
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New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
Wow ... I never thought I'd get so many replies, and so quickly. Thanks to everyone.
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
 to the Community! As you can see, there is really no right or wrong way to do it. If you can afford to keep them, then go ahead. Perhaps your children or grandchildren will benefit. I keep all of my 95% copper cents and nickels hoping my son may want to look through them one day. Worst case I will just cash them in later. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Indeed - to the CCF! |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
At the very least you can put them all in a sack and heft them for the fun. Very few coins you pull from circulation are worth saving. Read the stories of those who search boxes of coins from the banks. For the time involved most find very little.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
Bulldog! Let us know what you decide to do with them once you think about all the options! |
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Valued Member
Canada
458 Posts |
except key dates most aren't worth it unless in good shape
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Valued Member
United States
109 Posts |
I generally only save wheat cents and wartime nickels personally. The wheat cents go from 1909-1956 and the Wartime Nickels go from 1942-1945 if ya didn't know. The Wartime Nickels have silver content (I don't specifically remember how much) and the wheats are just interesting to me. All quarters, dimes, and half dollars minted before 1965 contain silver, but those aren't really worth collecting unless you collect silver coins, want to save the really nice ones for a small profit, or you're a silver hoarder. But in my personal opinion, there's a difference between hoarding and collecting, not to be blunt. But like Finn said, you can always sell hoards of different coins and make a pretty penny off the deal (pun intended).
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Moderator
United States
15394 Posts |
You can also consider trying to put together sets of the various coins in your hoard ... such as a 1938-date Jefferson nickel set, or perhaps a complete set of copper Lincoln Memorial cents 1959-1982, etc I admit to hoarding my roll found Jefferson 1959 and earlier. Also save any pre-zinc Lincoln Cents I happen to find. You can do it however you want ... just know that if 'profit' is a motivation there will not be any. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Valued Member
United States
408 Posts |
I would keep them for now. I think the market is weak anyway. Wait a few years and I believe the market will be much better than it is right now.
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Replies: 27 / Views: 4,650 |
Posted 10/25/2016 4:51 pm
