IM new to this part of the forum, but i have some questions about coins...

NoDoubt64

I have a 1941 US penny and the back of the coin is differnt from the modern ones. It has "One Cent" on the back in big letters. Please LMK if its worth more than a cent.

P.s.- I am also curious to see if the 1943 penny is the same way.

lordmarcovan

In circulated condition, it is worth about 3 to 5 cents- no more than 10 cents, as that's a common date. The reverse has wheat ears, which is why these are referred to as "Wheat pennies". If you have a sharp eye, you can still pull them from circulation. The Wheat reverse was minted from 1909 to 1958. In 1959, the current Lincoln Memorial reverse was adopted.

The 1943 steel cents (struck in zinc-coated steel) are worth a little more. If they are not too badly corroded or rusted, (which is pretty common), then they're worth anything from a quarter to a dollar. In Mint State, they're worth $5 to $10. In certified Mint State grades above MS65, more than that. I have a 1943-D PCGS certified MS67 that is worth a little more than fifty bucks. I'd sell it for a bit less than that. MS67 is a grade; the Sheldon grading scale for United States coins has numerical values from 1 to 70, 70 being perfection. This is an MS67. (Mint State 67). In MS68, the same coin sells for $600-900, because only a few are known in that grade. I do not believe PCGS has graded any MS69's, and MS70 coins usually do not exist, except in a few very modern issues.

So you see, the same coin can be worth anywhere from 25c to $900, all based on grade. Condition is everything.

NoDoubt64

im not familiar with grading (only card gradings) but i understand the concept of it. Thanks for the insight, im keeping the penny jsut because it is dated so far back and has a different back. I also have another question, my dad has a trunk full of coins that he has collected when he was a kid and im sure there are tons of rare coins in there. I was wonering h ow much a dime with a different back from like the mid-40s would be worth.

supercoin

my dad has a trunk full of coins that he has collected when he was a kid and im sure there are tons of rare coins in there

He quite certainly has tons of old coins, but if he pulled them from circulation it's unlikely he has many rare coins. Because, well, they're rare.

Still would be a lot of fun to look through. Your best bet as a starting point is to go to a coin shop or big bookstore and buy a copy of the "Red Book", officially titled "A Guide Book of United States Coins", by R.S. Yeoman.

It's cheap and will give you a great overview of the coin world.

ClarkOfKent

"my dad has a trunk full of coins that he has collected when he was a kid and im sure there are tons of rare coins in there"

Sounds like a future eBay seller here!!!!

NoDoubt64

Ill try to get him to crack it open soon. Hes very protective over it. Ive lifted the trunk before and its very heavy. When i do open it, i will post here and you guys can tell me if its worth something. Give me your IM names so maybe one time we can all go in a chat or something. Thanks

NoDoubt64

P.s.- Im pretty sure a lot of his coins are rare!

oreville

Nodoubt: Perhaps you own 31.6% of all Mike Bibbys but do you have his autograph from when he was 7 years old plus get to see his Dad play?

Whitewashqtr

Oreville... You are way too funny!!

NoDoubt, no doubtedly thinks he has something. Who knows? Maybe he does. Until he opens it.. all he has is hope and between you are I, very little hope of having something truly rare.

NODOUBT understands the concept of grading (because he collects certified cardboard -- why I never know). I have a closet full of cardboard and cant imagine its worth the time to even see whats there. I dont dream of anything that I would find rare. Not even my 85 Barry Bonds Rookie cards (uncertified of course).