I received a wheat penny collection as a Christmas gift about 10 years ago. I tucked it away and forgot about until now. I've been looking at different websites and have found conflicting prices. Can anyone out there tell me a close guesstimate of how much they are worth? They are all in very good condition; meaning they don't have any scratches, they're just a little dirty. I don't want to clean them just yet, since I have no idea of what would need to be done. I don't want to ruin them. Everything on them is very legible. I'm pretty sure they have been circulated though.
2007-09-26 06:16:36 · 6 answers · asked by Purple Sparks 4 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Without seeing pictures it's very difficult for anyone to give you a good answer. Many factors play in to how much your coins are worth (i.e. condition, scarcity, mint marks, current market demand, etc.)
1 - Take your coin to a local coin dealer (trustworthy ones can be found - shop around). It never hurts to get a second opinion. They will be able to tell you so much more by evaluation the condition of the coins. They will also know the amount minted and what it is going for in today's market.
2 - Try posting pictures on this website (there are many experts here that can help you evaluate it - there also may be people willing to buy if you are trying to sell):
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/default.asp
3 - Repost this question and include pictures. You can use websites like http://www.photobucket.com and include the link in your question.
Good luck!
P.S. Mercury is poisonous and will destroy your coins (they stay silver for a while then turn black). You should not clean your coins. Most coin collectors see cleaning a coin as the equivalent of stripping down antique furniture and refinishing it.
When cleaning, the surface metal of the coin is often stripped. Anything used to scrub the coin will leave scratches (even 100% pure silk will leave hairline scratches). Most cleaning products will have some type of reaction with the coin's metal and the surface metal can also be removed in this manner.
Your best bet is to leave the coins alone. Cleaning the coina will leave traces - which can be found by the knowledgeable collector - who in turn will not buy the cleaned coin. Also if you ever wanted to send your coin into a grading company, they can recognize signs of cleaning and will send your coin back in a "cleaned" slab (also called a "body bag" in the coin world) - which is usually a greatly decreased value.
If you absolutely must must must clean your coina do not use the method described above as it will react with the metal in your coin. Use 100% acetone (do not use fingernail polish remover!). It must be 100% pure because other additives will react with the coin metal. Place your coin(s) in the solution for several minutes (do not leave in for long periods of time). Rinse your coin(s) in distilled water. Next remove your coins and either pat dry with a soft cloth or allow the coin to air dry (air drying is better as you don't risk scratching the coin with the cloth). NEVER scrub your coins!
I would still advise you to leave your coins as they are. They may not be bright and shiny but that is what most collectors prefer.
2007-09-26 11:56:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
First off you don't clean coins. If a rare one needs some work done on it, then it is sent to the pros who charge a lot. There are no rare dates between 1934-1958 except for the 1955 double die which i don't think was included in your gist due to its value even 10 years ago. You will have to just hold on to it for another 20 years or so. The coins ou have now can be picked up in any coin dealers wheat cent box for from .03 to .05 cents each. Please pass this on a lot of people who answer questions on cleaning coins here have no idea what they are taking about and some methods they suggest can ruin the coins, but more important can make you sick or kill you. Hold onto the coins for the only place the value can go is up.
2007-09-26 13:32:33 · answer #2 · answered by Taiping 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, do not clean them. Look up the nearest coin dealer in the yellow pages and maybe make an appointment with them to have them appraised. Get your answers and go from there. Whatever you do, do not follow the first answer, Mercury is poisonous!
2007-09-26 06:26:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Silver pennies 'are' real. For more information either pick up a copy of CoinWorld or go to the website PCGS and ask them as they are the premier grading service in the country in my humble opinion.
2016-04-06 02:05:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont know about price but you can clean them by dipping em' in mercury. Old timers would dip silver and other precious metals into mercury to remove any dirt or tarnish. Just were rubber gloves.
My grandmother had a old jar of mercury! huhh, lol
2007-09-26 06:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by ROCKET 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
It depends on what you have year and condition. Try www.sammler.com
2007-09-26 06:27:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋