Penny Collection

I feel the same way as you Phar. I hate empty spots lol... I have some crudddddddy coins in there, but oh well.

Barely Uncirculated

Search for the fun get a good book and it will start you on the best hobby out there. I sort of the copper all 1981 and earlier plus 1982 buy a cheap digital scale and you are all set. Nothing like finding a VDB and turning it over to see if it is a S mint, so far I have had two chances and I am 0 for 2 but still makes the heart skip a beat.

to the forum
I would suggest the first thing to do is find a coin store, or use the internet, purchase a copy of the Red Book by Whitman Publishing. Then too after looking through that book, check out the https://www.coppercoins.com web site. At many coin shows they sell the Red Book also. Almost any book on coins would give some information on Lincoln Cents. There are also price guides available on some web sites like the PCGS web site or Numismedia web site. Although in most instances those are highly inflated prices, the information of different types of coins is usable.
The Red Book also explains terminology of coins, has a section explaining error types, listings of Proof and Uncirculated sets from the Mint, etc. And remember to try used book stores. For what you need you do not have to have the latest edition. And an older version would cost a lot less.
There are many types of coins missed by individuals due to lack of information that is really available.