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Now what do I do with them?

jfriedm56jfriedm56 Posts: 2,560 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

I have been putting these copper cents aside in this jar when the Mint switched from copper to zinc. The jar is 13 1/2 inches high, 6 3/4 inches across and has a 24 inch circumference. Plus, I can’t lift the thing any longer. Since it’s still illegal to melt these, do I wait until the ban is lifted? Will it ever be lifted? What is the current melt value of a copper cent? Your thoughts?

Comments

  • RiveraFamilyCollectRiveraFamilyCollect Posts: 789 ✭✭✭✭

    I think it's currently illegal to melt down copper cents or nickels. But I'm just basing that on the last thread about melting silver coins.

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  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 12,017 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Current melt is around 3 cents still, but from what I understand most dealers are only paying a premium for wheat cents vs memorial. I highly doubt the ban on melting cents will ever be lifted in our lifetime. I'd roll and deposit or coinstar.

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  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,426 ✭✭✭✭✭

    “Now what do I do with them?”
    Have a guess-the -number-of-cents contest. After all entries are in, count them, determine the winner and ship to him or her. 😉 Or save the time and postage expense by putting them in a “Coinstar” machine if you don’t want to look for a local bank or merchants to take them off your hands. Time is money.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,789 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 17, 2025 10:31AM

    Look at the grocery stores. Some are offering a 2 fer in card form at the store. Get a good steak for your self 😋 👍

  • ajaanajaan Posts: 17,688 ✭✭✭✭✭

    **The "Double Exchange Day" will take place at all Price Chopper and Market 32 stores across New York on Sunday, November 16th, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the Progressive Grocery website.

    During the one-day event, a penny is worth 2 cents when you exchange it for a Price Chopper or Market 32 gift card, worth twice its value. For example, exchange $10 in pennies and earn a $20 gift card redeemable toward future in-store purchases.**

    Unfortunately it was yesterday and the closest store is in Syracuse.


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  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 36,956 ✭✭✭✭✭

    carry a few to prevent paying the round up price ... when paying with cash

    i'm thinking the only place benefiting from melting will soon be the fed res

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,064 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    “Now what do I do with them?”
    Have a guess-the -number-of-cents contest. After all entries are in, count them, determine the winner and ship to him or her. 😉 Or save the time and postage expense by putting them in a “Coinstar” machine if you don’t want to look for a local bank or merchants to take them off your hands. Time is money.

    It would take a lot of time and effort to count all of them. Weigh the jar full of cents and subtract the weight of the empty jar. A little math (total weight of just the cents divided by the weight of a single cent) will give you a very close approximation of the number of cents you have.

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  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,426 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @MFeld said:
    “Now what do I do with them?”
    Have a guess-the -number-of-cents contest. After all entries are in, count them, determine the winner and ship to him or her. 😉 Or save the time and postage expense by putting them in a “Coinstar” machine if you don’t want to look for a local bank or merchants to take them off your hands. Time is money.

    It would take a lot of time and effort to count all of them. Weigh the jar full of cents and subtract the weight of the empty jar. A little math (total weight of just the cents divided by the weight of a single cent) will give you a very close approximation of the number of cents you have.

    Yes, but that wouldn’t eliminate the additional time and expense of shipping. Hence, my winking emoji and additional alternatives.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • jfriedm56jfriedm56 Posts: 2,560 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for all your responses! Well I’ve waited 40 years now. I guess I can wait a little longer and hope they lift the ban on melting them. Who knows what’s going to happen in the next few years with no more in production.

  • Downtown1974Downtown1974 Posts: 7,104 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I’m in the same boat. I have a couple of APMEX monster boxes full of them. I rolled them along the way though, so there will be no contest with guessing how many pennies are in my box. 😄

  • bsshog40bsshog40 Posts: 4,002 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have a 5 gal jug that is over a third full. All pennies go in it so no idea of copper vs zinc.

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  • MarkKelleyMarkKelley Posts: 1,978 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I sold a thousand rolls on the bay for double face plus shipping (in several lots, not all at once). Made a little money and now I'm done with them.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 16,695 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd find someone who thinks they're worth more than face value and sell them. Let them worry about melting them. 😀

  • WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 6,950 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Spend them. No one has become a millionare hoarding wheat cents.

    WS

    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • ambro51ambro51 Posts: 14,060 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Unless you have 53 09 VDB proofs

  • P0CKETCHANGEP0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,068 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Cash in and convert to silver.

    Nothing is as expensive as free money.

  • Coins3675Coins3675 Posts: 900 ✭✭✭✭

    I think the melt value is 3 cents apiece.

  • Batman23Batman23 Posts: 5,047 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So that is where they all went. I was wondering why there was nothing available for the banks and stores.

  • CregCreg Posts: 1,031 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 17, 2025 2:10PM

    I sold my wheats in bulk on eBay. I’m okay with the results of these memorials so mine aren’t going to Coinstar—

    That looks like near forty-five lbs. 100 rolls?

  • BikergeekBikergeek Posts: 617 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here is how I experienced the first image on this thread, @jfriedm56! :-)

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  • jfriedm56jfriedm56 Posts: 2,560 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks again all for all the varied and somewhat humorous responses. I guess I’ll just hold them for now.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,046 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Spend on Play Station 5 get GTA online.

    Investor
  • sanddollarsanddollar Posts: 465 ✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Spend on Play Station 5 get GTA online.

    "Investor"

    :#

  • dipset512dipset512 Posts: 134 ✭✭✭

    I'd be tempted to look for varieties

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