100 rolls of 1981 Lincoln cents

nesvt · September 2, 2014 9:10AM

I have a relative that purchased a $50 bag of Lincoln cents in 1981. He placed them in the closet that day and just found them again this week. He's asking what to do a 100 rolls. We're on the east coast, so I assume they're 'P' mints. I know it's the last year before copper/zinc. I see high values in high MS grades. Do they really get these prices for MS67 and up? I know nothing about moderns. Is it worth going through them and picking out high grades for slabbing? Are the odds against me? Better to sell by roll? I haven't seen them yet. Not sure if they're in bank rolls or rolls from the mint. Thanks for any advice!
Norm

cladking · September 2, 2014 9:34AM

It's a tougher date for Gems because of bad surfaces in mint sets and marking on roll coins.

It's unlikely there will even be any MS-66 in the bag but it's worth a quick look to see if there
are any nice die runs. Bags of pennies can be all over the spectrum from all junk to a mixture
of gemmy to junk to almost all Gems.

My guess is they'll bring the best price by the bag or in rolls. Otherwise they tend to be worth
less than shipping costs. The "P" wholesales at 90c per roll and the "D" @ 60c.

It will probably cost $30 to ship.

If there are nice coins then it can be a bonanza.

Good Luck.

Kudbegud · September 2, 2014 9:39AM

Here is a LINK to PCGS prices realized. High grades look worth searching the bag carefully with out jostling to preserve the surfaces. Picking out the best while wearing cotton gloves. Daunting and tedious but your efforts could pay off. While you're at it you could make rolls in plastic holders for sale too. Could be a fun family evening if you and they are so inclined.

MsMorrisine · September 2, 2014 9:55AM

search them yourself then dump them into a coin counter

braddick · September 2, 2014 10:21AM

Dang, an ANACS MS62 Brown went for $6.

nesvt · August 18, 2015 1:27AM

Thanks for your replies. I still have this bag. The owner, my father-in-law, passed away on July 4th. They're mine now. I went to the local B&M and got the same info. 90 cents per roll, but he couldn't offer that. Owner wasn't really interested. Many people suggested Coinstar to just dump them. But, I'll go through them.

I opened one roll last night. Yeah, there were many coins with spots and little nicks. However, there were some that looked pretty nice. Problem is, I know nothing about Lincoln cents or moderns. I went to Heritage archives and pulled up PCGS slabbed MS67 coins. Enlarged the images. I see tiny nicks on some of these as well. Some in the roll I opened looked as nice.

So, I'm going to go through a few more rolls. Pull out the best. Take some pictures and post on this forum. I'll have to ask for help and suggestions from there.

Thanks in advance!

Norm

LanceNewmanOCC · August 19, 2015 7:59AM

<< <i>Enlarged the images. I see tiny nicks on some of these as well. Some in the roll I opened looked as nice.
Norm >>

it takes a trained eye to recognize the difference between nicks from coins contacting each other and "nicks" that come from less than pristine die surfaces.

you can see these "marks" on the high-point areas of walkers, lincolns and more and i mean on 66 and higher grades.

on 66 and above, you will need a few factors to be considered and not the least is that if you miss, you are most likely buried financially.

if you have the cash, experience and quality coins, bulk-submissions (100 coins @ $8-10 each? for grading fees) are a saving grace if you know what you're doing. costly but saving simultaneously.
.

jmski52 · August 19, 2015 8:26AM

I went to Heritage archives and pulled up PCGS slabbed MS67 coins. Enlarged the images. I see tiny nicks on some of these as well. Some in the roll I opened looked as nice.

So, I'm going to go through a few more rolls. Pull out the best. Take some pictures and post on this forum. I'll have to ask for help and suggestions from there.

You're doing it right. Get a X5 lens and it will help. Look for eye appeal and then start looking for the ones with the least number of hits.

winky · August 19, 2015 8:28AM

RUN, RUN very fast and you won't be disappointed otherwise time wasted.

291fifth · August 19, 2015 9:17AM

Save your eyesight. Just take then to the bank and cash them in. Unless you are a real grading expert you are likely to waste a lot of time and money trying to get high grade slabbed examples from what you find in a mint bag.

TwoSides2aCoin · August 19, 2015 9:22AM

1981 was a good year … for Susan B Anthony dollars. Just can't think of any other coins that stand out that year.

Manorcourtman · August 19, 2015 9:29AM

<< <i>Save your eyesight. Just take then to the bank and cash them in. Unless you are a real grading expert you are likely to waste a lot of time and money trying to get high grade slabbed examples from what you find in a mint bag. >>

^^^^^THIS^^^^^ They are probably spotted and ugly by now. Don't waste your time.

tahoe98 · August 22, 2015 2:23AM

...they sound like great candidates for a newbie giveaway...

cladking · August 22, 2015 3:59AM

'81-P's aren't too bad for strikes but check the memorial on the back and see if all the steps are there.

On bad strikes the steps will be flat or mushy. If between 10 and 15% of the coins (or more) don't have
a good strike then it might be a waste of time to check. I can spot check a bag in just a few minutes to
tell if there are any Gems.

With this date your odds aren't good but they are there.

Baley · August 22, 2015 4:08AM

A $50 bag of pennies 34 years ago, now worth just about $50

Imagine if the relative had put the $50 into something like a stock mutual fund.

braddick · August 22, 2015 4:19AM

$1,058.00 for a PCGS MS66? Ah, jeez. . . I then click to confirm and see that particular coin was a minting error (struck on a dime...).

TwoSides2aCoin · August 22, 2015 5:34AM

<< <i>$1,058.00 for a PCGS MS66? Ah, jeez. . . I then click to confirm and see that particular coin was a minting error (struck on a dime…). >>

Problem: this generation thinks the government might seize it, like it's unlawful.

nesvt · August 29, 2015 12:29AM

Thanks again for the replies and suggestions. I have some health issues, so this has been a slow process. I put on some gloves and a mask last night. Only went through three rolls. Many coins have spots. The spots are flat and dull looking. Appear greyish in color. Some of the coins look great. I set them aside and later took a look with a 16x loupe. Saw some tiny chunks of green in a few places. I assume it's verdigris. Will continue looking.

I will take some close-up pictures soon. Thanks again for the assistance.

Norm

nesvt · August 29, 2015 6:58AM

jdimmick · August 29, 2015 7:45AM

If you did happen to find a truly nice one, you never get the grade. It would literally have to be 1 grade higher for you a small submitter to get it

ambro51 · August 29, 2015 8:08AM

My eyes hurt just thinking about looking at all those coins. Pack them back up and let them sit another 50 yrs.

lkeigwin · August 29, 2015 8:47AM

I don't envy you. You are in for a lot of work and possibly a lot of wasted money for grading.

If you are lucky to find an MS66RD it might be worth $20. But you'll spend more than that on grading fees and shipping.

Of the 500+ 1981 Lincolns PCGS has graded -- each, no doubt, from owners with high hopes of 67 or better because anything less is a money loser -- only 10% are graded higher than MS66RD.

Save your eyes for better endeavors.
Lance.

100 rolls of 1981 Lincoln cents

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