1974 pennies

coalmover

Hello,
I received a coin collection from my In-laws I noticed 1 box in particular it was full of rolled 1974 pennies in plastic tubes with the tops sealed.
the collector who left them to me is no longer with us, to ask why these particular coins.
So my question is what was special about the 1974 penny that made him collect and save this certain year, I have researched and can't really find nothing concrete.
this is just the beginning of the collection looking forward to see what else is there.
If anyone has any insight to this coin I would appreciate it.
Thank You
Coalmover

Oldhoopster

Collecting coins by the roll was very popular in the early-mid 60s and many collectors from that time period stuck with it. My Uncle started collecting then and would save new rolls if the bank had them. I still have a roll of 1968S, 1974, and 1977 cents he gave me.

My guess is they are nothing special.

291fifth

Nothing of much note. Just a roll of cents saved because someone thought they would become valuable. They didn't. They might bring a small premium at best.

Swampboy

I have a few rolls of those 74's as they came from the bank
They're nothing special.
Also, don't attempt to clean any of the other coins in the collection.

moursund

They are copper, so they're worth a couple of cents each anyway.

AUandAG

Anyone in the family born that year?

bob

coalmover

Thank You everyone
no one was born that year. He sure did put a lot of effort on getting these and rolling them himself.
just found a few jarfuls of wheat pennies he left looking forward to going thru them.

CoinHoarder

@coalmover

Cuprinkor

Copper prices were rising in '74 and the U.S. Treasury was considering alternatives for striking cents in the future. (Remember the 1974 experimental trial strikes?)
Perhaps the public began squirreling away the new cents in hopes of making some $$.
1974 was the last year of the San Francisco Mint issued circulation strike Lincoln Cents.

ricko

@coalmover.... Welcome aboard.... Unless you have a '74 Proof or '74S in those rolls, or grades around MS67, likely they have no significant numismatic premium. Let us know what else you find in the collection. Good luck, Cheers, RickO

lkenefic

Welcome to the Forum! Cool first post... as others have already indicated, there's nothing hugely special about the date unless there's a high grade piece, a proof issue, or an S mintmark.

Zoins

See if you have any aluminum ones like this

cladking

The '74 comes as a large date and a small date. The small date is only a little less common but none appear in mint sets where most of the Gems for the date originate. Since many of the BU rolls (and mint set) coins have tarnished the availability of the small date and especially nice small dates is not that great.

The coins might have been saved because they were sm dts.

There's still remarkably little interest in the types caused by the expected change over to aluminum when the cost of making the penny first started up over one cent each.

coalmover

Thank You everyone for the great information.
If I find anything interesting I will share my finds.

Coalmover

robkool

Interesting...
I recently found a lot of these uncirculated 1974 cents in mixed rolls at my local bank. I think I already accumulated a few rolls myself.