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If you find a red penny that has absolutely no scratches on it and the luster is still there does that guarantee it will get ms70 if it still looks brand new? And how do Penny's from the 90's and sometimes 80's survive for so long in circulation with very little damage to them because do coin rolls alot and constantly come across nice looking Penny's with hardly any scratches from years ago but the shield Penny's seem to be scratched up and damaged very quickly
No, cents you get uncirculated direct from the mint such as in rolls (or bags or mint sets) are going to be of general higher condition in mint state, but rarely are above the MS65-66 range. You can see for yourself here in the population report (census of how many are graded at each grade)
https://www.pcgs.com/pop/detail/lin...1959-date/47This is the reason that some rare high grade coins can value so high as they are not found often. They also have values for graded coins at each grade such as here you can browse
https://www.pcgs.com/pricesCirculated coins are rarely found in those better grades. Many who search circulated coins are looking for varieties or errors such as found in a book like strike it rich with pocket change, as its getting infrequent to find older coins that may have value on their own. Modern coins after 1982 are more zinc and so if they get scratched the zinc core is exposed and then starts causing white substance to form around the exposure, and if worn away from further circulation can eat away further at the coin. Those 1982 and newer coins arent quite as durable like the older coins.
Edited by datadragon
04/11/2024 12:11 am