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pencilvanian
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2209 Posts |
 Posted - 07/21/2007 : 21:28:51
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As forum member Carl has pointed out many times before, the coppers and zincs we hoarde may be worth far more than the face or melt value of the coins themselves.
While I have had some difficulty accessing the error penny site that has been mentioned some time ago, I did stumble onto this site listing the top 10 error coins that might be out there waiting to be found.
I will cut n paste the list in its entirety...
You must be logged in to see this link.
Top 10 Most Valuable U.S. Coins Found in Pocket Change
From Susan Headley,
There are a number of fairly valuable U.S. error coins and die varieties in circulation today. These coins are overlooked by people because they have small distinguishing characteristics, such as a modest doubling of the coin image, or minute differences in the size or spacing of the letters in the legends. Learn which of your pocket change coins is worth a large premium over face value, and why.
Tip: Be sure to do your hunting with at least a 6x power magnifier so you don't miss anything!
1. 1969-S Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
This coin is exceedingly rare. The early specimens were confiscated by the Secret Service until the U.S. Mint admitted they were genuine. Counterfeits abound, but usually have the wrong mint mark.
How to Detect: Look for clear doubling of the entire obverse except for the mint mark. If the mint mark is doubled, it is a double strike, rather than a doubled die, and not worth much. (Mint marks are punched in the dies separately).
Approximate Value: Around $35,000 or more in EF-40 or so.
2. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
As with virtually all true doubled die varieties, only one side of the coin shows doubling. If both sides exhibit doubling, the coin is probably double struck instead, and worth little.
How to Detect: The rarer Small Date variety is most easily distinguished from the common type by the weakness of LIBERTY. The Doubled Die Obverse is best demonstrated by doubling in LIB and IN GOD WE TRUST.
Approximate Value: Around $3,000 in EF-40 or so.
3. 1972 Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
The 1972 (no mint mark) Lincoln Cent doubled die variety shows strong doubling on all elements. The "Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties", which was an important source for this article, suggests using a "die marker" to help verify your finds. A die marker is a gouge or crack that identifies a particular die.
How to Detect: Clear doubling of all obverse elements; look for a tiny gouge near the edge above the D in UNITED as a die marker.
Approximate Value: About $500 in EF-40 or so.
4. 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter With an Extra Leaf
Variety experts disagree about the cause and long-term value of this type, but I've included in the list because it is very findable in pocket change and worth hundreds of dollars right now.
How to Detect: There is some defect on the die that makes it appear as if there's an extra leaf on the lower left-hand side of the ear of corn on the reverse. The leaf is very clear. Known in two varieties, the High Leaf and the Low Leaf type.
Approximate Value: $200-$300 in MS-60 or so.
5. 2005-D Speared Bison Reverse New Design Jefferson Nickel
This variety results from a gouge or crack in the die that has created a long, straight line from the edge of the reverse, all the way through the bison, and ending between the bison's front and hind legs. It looks like a spear has been sent through the bison!
How to Detect: Beginning at an angle aligned along the E in STATES, the "spear" continues in a straight line all the way through the bison.
Approximate Value: From $75 in AU-50 to $1,400 in MS-66
6. 1999 Wide "AM" Reverse Lincoln Cent
This variety is known for 3 dates, 1998, 1999, and 2000, with 1999 being by far the rarest. The mint erroneously used a proof die to strike normal circulation coins.
How to Detect: The AM in AMERICA on the reverse is clearly separated in the Wide variety. In the normal variety for these dates, the letters AM are very close or touching.
Approximate Value: $5 to $25 in middle grades, $75 to $600 in MS-63 or better depending on color. 1999 brings the highest prices, with 2000 being second.
7. 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime
At the point in time that these coins were made, the dies sent to the individual branch mints would be punched with the proper mint mark letter for that branch. This variety is believed to be caused because one or more un-punched dies were sent to one of the branches. (The letter P was being used for Philadelphia on dimes at this time.)
How to Detect: The 1982 dime is missing a mint mark.
Approximate Value: About $30 to $50 in AU-50, more for higher grades.
8. State Quarter Die Axis Rotation Errors
This error has been seen in many different State Quarter types, so it's worth checking them all for this oddity.
How to Detect: When you hold the coin with the head straight up and turn the coin over from top to bottom, the reverse design should be right-side up. If the dies weren't set properly in the machine for striking, the reverse will be rotated somewhat from true.
Approximate Value: Full 180 degree rotations are worth about $20 in EF-45 or so. Lesser rotations are worth much less.
9. 1995 and 1995-D Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cents
This doubled die variety generated a lot of mainstream interest when it was featured as a cover story in USA Today.
Specimens are still being found in circulation, and lesser doubling is seen in the much rarer and more valuable 1995-D.
How to Detect: Clear doubling in LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Note that the mint mark is also doubled on this variety, as the mint began punching mint marks into the master hub in 1990.
Approximate Value: About $20 to $75 in AU-50, more in higher grades.
10. Various "Old Style" Jefferson Nickels
You might be surprised to discover that you can still find dates as early at 1938 in circulating Jefferson Nickels! These nickels aren't very popular, though, so fewer people pay attention to them. I always save the following mint mark varieties because they have to go up sooner or later...(don't they?)
What I Keep: 1941-Doubled-D, 1941-Large-S, 1942-D-over-horizontal-D, 1949-D-over-S, 1955-D-over-S, and the 1964-Doubled-D. These are all in circulation today!
Approximate Value: $5 to $75
...Looks like I will have to take a careful examination of my nickel hoarde to see if there are any rarities, espeically if I have a 2005 D speared bison and I don't even know it. Looks like I will be busy sorting my nickels after all.
I should have chosen "Cut-n-Paste" as a forum name, since that is what I do, mostly.
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centsless
Penny Pincher Member
119 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2007 : 19:14:06
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| there was an article in the nusmismatic news last year where a gentleman found a 1983 penny on a copper planchet. it was verified and graded by a major grading service. Also, evidently there have been pennies from other zinc years struck on a copper planchets . i will try to dig up the article to give you more details |
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centsless
Penny Pincher Member
119 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2007 : 08:43:07
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| after alittle looking i found the article, forgive me if this is old news to all of you. in the july 18th 2006 issue of numismatic news the article said that a 1983 cent was found with a copper planchet. the author was offered a "substatial four figure sum" for the penny, but declined to sell it. copper planchet pennies dated 1989D and 1990D have also turned up. The 89D was encapsulated by ANACS and graded MS64/RED i was just wondering if you big-time sorters go thru your pennies that the machine determines to be copper and look for post 82 dates? it might be worthwhile to take a look. |
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Ryedale
Administrator
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2007 : 10:00:30
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As of yet, I have not gone through and looked at the dates on the coins. For now I am just trying to secure a substantial hoard, and figure that because I am keeping the copper, the "good" stuff will be in with the coppers. I have heard of these coins, but have not found any yet.
Ryedale
Hoard Copper Pennies,
The market will develop |
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centsless
Penny Pincher Member
119 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2007 : 10:30:20
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| believe it or not, the article featured a 1983 NICKEL on a copper planchet!!! when you look thru your coppers, dont be surprised and what you might find!! |
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centsless
Penny Pincher Member
119 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2007 : 18:34:52
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| another coin which supposedly does not exist is a 1982D small date copper.. the mint says that all 1982D small dates are zinc... i would think that if an 83 shows up in copper why wouldnt a 1982d small date? You bulk hoarders who sort by machine should really be on the lookout for one of those..... |
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just carl
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 08:18:16
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Great list of just some of the valuable cents out there usually missed by people that just throw cent(pennies)into a pile for hoarding metals. 2 more are the Lincoln Cent 1983 Double Die Reverse and the slowly getting famous 1984 with Lincoln's Double Ear.
However, as to the 1982 large and small dates, anything is possible. At one time it was said there is no such thing as a 1943 Copper cent. Now there are about 12 found.
A fantastic site for Lincoln Error cents is You must be logged in to see this link.
Carl |
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just carl
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 08:21:46
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Oh I forgot. Not sure about this one but I heard there is an error coin forum called You must be logged in to see this link.
If you are curious about the values of almost any coins you also may want to check out the price guide on the PCGS forums. I've found that a web site called Millersmint has a substantial listing of coins also.
Carl |
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US Error coins, cents & nickels
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