Cheapest way to assemble multiple Lincoln cent collections?

Newbie2021

Hello,

I 'd like to put together 10 or more U.S. Lincoln cent collections from 1909 to 2021: one penny per year but nothing fancy. What's the cheapest way to do this?

Another question: If I buy several bags of circulated but readable pennies by the decade, are any years especially hard to come by?

I realize the older dates are rarer, but, for example: If I buy a bag of 1940s pennies, will there generally be fewer 1944 pennies than 1949 pennies in the bag?

Just wondering if I should expect to pay extra for a particular coin to fill out the collection.

Thank you!

Newbie2021

Walkerfan

I am not a Lincoln Cent specialist.

I just know that the 1909-S V.D.B. & 1914-D are the two major key dates.

The 1955 Double Die is also very popular and scarce.

fcloud

1943-S in copper, 1944-S in steel, and the rarest is the 1969-S DDO there are only a handful known. Semi key date include the 1931-S.

MasonG

By the time you get to the 40's, all dates are so common it doesn't really matter. The 43's, being steel, would probably be the "scarcest". Overall, I'd think 1922 would be up there for one of the most difficult years.

Newbie2021

@fcloud and @walkerfan Thank you! I revised my post to delete the word "complete" before collection--because I only care about each year being represented, not each minting for that date.

Mr_Spud

A date set of Lincoln’s shouldn’t be too hard or expensive to put together. You can start off buying mixed rolls or a bag of them and you’ll get a bunch of them, but then just buy individuals for the rest. You should invest in a Redbook so you can see the mintages and ballpark retail price and even an idea on how to grade them.

lusterlover

If you're just doing a date set, you should be able to find everything in the wild. There are no rare or key Philly mints. Your lone purchase would probably be a 22-D.

Newbie2021

Thank you all! What's the most expensive readable Lincoln cent if I'm just doing a date book but don't need particular mints like 22-D? Just one penny for each year.

Thanks again

MsMorrisine

for 22 the only option is the 22-d

as for the most expensive....

I'd just go through the mintages and guesstimate from there.

MFeld

@Newbie2021 said:
Thank you all! What's the most expensive readable Lincoln cent if I'm just doing a date book but don't need particular mints like 22-D? Just one penny for each year.

Thanks again

Are you unfamiliar with on-line pice guides, which provide such information quite quickly as easily?

savitale

First, get a Redbook

Second, what is your goal for the sets? If you just need a bunch of 1909-2021 Lincoln date sets for some reason there is a guy selling them on eBay for $55 each.

MarkKelley

As others have said, for a one-a-year set the 1922-D will cost the most. The 1909, 1915, 1931, 1932 and 1933 can be obtained for a dollar or so each. Everything else is common.

koynekwest

A date set should be easily and inexpensively doable. The most expensive would be the 1922-D, which can be had for around $15 in GOOD 04 condition. Only Denver minted cents in 1922 but a few are missing the Mint mark. These are quite expensive so you want to go with the one that shows the Mint mark.

Newbie2021

@MFeld said:

@Newbie2021 said:
Thank you all! What's the most expensive readable Lincoln cent if I'm just doing a date book but don't need particular mints like 22-D? Just one penny for each year.

Thanks again

Are you unfamiliar with on-line pice guides, which provide such information quite quickly as easily?

Someone here just suggested investing in a Redbook, which I'll check out now. I'll look for online price guides too.

MFeld

@Newbie2021 said:

@MFeld said:

@Newbie2021 said:
Thank you all! What's the most expensive readable Lincoln cent if I'm just doing a date book but don't need particular mints like 22-D? Just one penny for each year.

Thanks again

Are you unfamiliar with on-line pice guides, which provide such information quite quickly as easily?

Someone here just suggested investing in a Redbook, which I'll check out now. I'll look for online price guides too.

I second the “Redbook”, too.

Newbie2021

Follow-up question: Do dealers often sell completed 1941-1974 folders like this Whitman Lincoln Cents Folder #2, 1941-1974?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307090302/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

MasonG

@Newbie2021 said:
Follow-up question: Do dealers often sell completed 1941-1974 folders like this Whitman Lincoln Cents Folder #2, 1941-1974?

Have you looked on eBay? You probably should.

jmlanzaf

The easiest way to do it is definitely to simply buy them largely assembled. Every dealer usually has dozens of them because every estate has one or more keyless sets.

MarkKelley

@Newbie2021 said:
Follow-up question: Do dealers often sell completed 1941-1974 folders like this Whitman Lincoln Cents Folder #2, 1941-1974?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307090302/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I usually keep some listed but they sell cheaply and move slowly.

ricko

With what you say you want, the easiest way is to buy a set as many have described above. Of course, once you have it, then you will want to start getting the various mint marks, and then the key dates. Happens once the 'collector bug' bites. Cheers, RickO

thisistheshow

I have seen relatively complete sets in folders on eBay and at coin stores. Have patience and you should get them for low prices.

djm

@Newbie2021 said:
Thank you all! What's the most expensive readable Lincoln cent if I'm just doing a date book but don't need particular mints like 22-D? Just one penny for each year.

Thanks again

The actual album is the most expensive thing you will need to buy.