Cool Lincoln Roll Finds (From Bank Rolls) - Post Yours!

it is fairly easy to tell copper from zinc by slightly slamming the coin on a hard surface. same concept as the flicking with your thumb but I think it is easy to tell when you slam it on a counter. the ring is very obvious of a copper.

Or, buy an electronic scale in the reloading area of your favorite sporting goods store. I have done them all including building a a balance scale. This is by far the easiest.
Jim

Unknown, the Mint only tracked the number of coins and not the type.

When searching do you check each and every coin? I usually just put my pennies on a table and slide them to 1982 and prior and then the junk pile. Is there anyhting I should check for that I am potentially through away? I'm not an expert on coins by no means but any help wouldn't hurt.

I did half a box of Brinks wrapped rolls,only 1 wheat,but lots of copper and early 60's and 70's in great shape. I don't know why I am seeing so few wheats,just luck of the draw I guess.

w1a9c8k5:

Where I live (San Diego Ca.), almost all coins minted 1983 through 2010 are "D" mint coins. Because Philly "P" mint coins are so scarce - I save ALL of them. I make another pile for 82 and older, and a third pile for coins that are much better than the average you find in circulation for that year. It normally means I save coins 83 through 92 in AU58 or better, coins 93 through 98 MS62 or better, and coins 99 through 04 MS63 or better, and coins 05 or newer MS64 or better! . I know it sounds complicated, but after you've been through a few thousand pennies, you get a feel for what is a good looking coin for its' year.

As for errors, most of the good ones it seems are in the "P" mint cents. (the 84 double ear, 92 CAM, 98-99-00 WAM etc..) That is why I save all coins without mintmark (to be examined much closer later). Incidentally, there is an excellent book "Looking Through Lincoln Cents" by Charles Daughtrey - that is very comprehensive - it covers, double dies, repunched mint marks, die breaks, small date/large dates, and more. In all of its' detail - it's beyond me at this point . It is a great reference, and is available for under $20.

If you're getting lots of "P" mint coins in your roll searching, I would kick all coins 84,92,98,99 & 00 into a separate pile, and search them later for the errors relevant to that year.

Good going amida17, if you can a picture would be great. I got done with 20 rolls so far of a box that I got yesterday. I only found 9 wheats and 2 canadian so far. Also got about 6 BU 60's cents will do a finaly tally when I am done with the box.

Congrats on finding the elusive 99 WAM!