It took just over 200,000 cents, but I finally got a nice one.

[Infector101]

After searching just over $2000 in cents, I finally found a nice proof, a 1978-S in a $50 bag. Not sure why proof pennies are so rare. I've found several nickel, dime, quarter, and half proofs, but this is my first nice cent proof (I found one other that was barely recognizable as a proof so it doesn't count to me). Some other notables from the bag (not pictured) were a 1919 (G-3), 1930-D (VG-8), and 1932 (VG-8).

 

[NHBandit]

They're rare because they were never released into circulation. Usually the only way one ends up in a bank is if a coin collection gets broken up and cashed in. VERY unlikely but it does happen.

 

[Infector101]

They're rare because they were never released into circulation. Usually the only way one ends up in a bank is if a coin collection gets broken up and cashed in. VERY unlikely but it does happen.

I know they come in proof sets. I've found about a dozen proof dimes, 5 proof nickels, 9 proof quarters, etc., but I rarely find proof pennies. It just seems odd to me with the volume of pennies that I've searched I'd find so few in relation to other denominations.

 

[NHBandit]

I have to wonder if the majority come from crooks cashing in stolen coins at the bank or spending them. Who pays the premium for a proof set & then breaks it up and dumps some of the coins ? It makes no sense but I agree they are out there.

 

[boristhespider88]

After searching just over $2000 in cents, I finally found a nice proof, a 1978-S in a $50 bag. Not sure why proof pennies are so rare. I've found several nickel, dime, quarter, and half proofs, but this is my first nice cent proof (I found one other that was barely recognizable as a proof so it doesn't count to me). Some other notables from the bag (not pictured) were a 1919 (G-3), 1930-D (VG-8), and 1932 (VG-8).

View attachment 914096

What was the other proof cent you found before?

I've gone through probably half that amount and still never found one. I've found one of every other denomination though as well (nickel, dime, quarter, half, and dollar).

Nice find!

- DS

 

[Immy]

Have to agree with your observation Infector101. There's an inexplicable lack of proof pennies found in the wild, relative to other denoms. 25+ years hunting and I've found...four proof pennies. I could find four proof halves in an afternoon of casino hunting. Just odd.

 

[JunkDetector]

I didn't realize proof cents were so rare. I've gone through only about $150 in cents and have found one proof (2002).

 

[FormerTeller]

Have to agree with your observation Infector101. There's an inexplicable lack of proof pennies found in the wild, relative to other denoms. 25+ years hunting and I've found...four proof pennies. I could find four proof halves in an afternoon of casino hunting. Just odd.

Immy??

Talk about a blast from the past; I thought you were dead...

 

[Immy]

I thought you were dead...

And look at the high praise I've been missing out on.

Turns out my proof penny total is seven: 78-S, 82-S, 84-S, 86-S, 90-S, 98-S, 00-S

 

[hotrod]

Mabey we don't find proof pennies as often , because people throw them away.

Think about it is it worth all that time to just get a penny out of the plastic.
Most people who break the sets probably just leave them in there!

 

[hotrod]

Nice find tho.
I've only found 2 proof pennies

 

[Infector101]

What was the other proof cent you found before?

It was a 1974-S, but it was so beat up you could only tell it was a proof by looking between the letters.

 

[GMan00001]

Proof pennies are rare in the wild because of the sheer number of non-proof pennies compared to proofs.

They minted a fixed number of proof sets so the number of proof coins is the same for every denomination, but if you look at how many non-proof halves were minted compared to how many non-proof pennies, you can see the ratios are very different. As such, proof halves are much easier to find.

 

[roygpa]

Stupid question time. How can you tell if it is a "proof?"

Thanks.

Roy

 

[Tabfry]

My proof cent total is only one. I found a nice 2006s early this year. I've heard of more Indians being found than I have proofs.

 

[GMan00001]

Stupid question time. How can you tell if it is a "proof?"

Thanks.

Roy

Anything after 1974 with a "S" mint is a proof.

Otherwise, it will have a different shine to it and a mirror-like finish. All proofs after 1967 were minted in San Francisco and prior to 1965 they were all minted in Philadelphia. If you look at a proof coin and compare it to a regular business strike, it should be obvious.

 

[PennyRoll]

Why keep proofs? What's the point?

 

[BuffaloBoy]

Why keep proofs? What's the point?

They have no added value because they are out of the proof set but they have a nice look to them so I keep them .

 

[GMan00001]

Why keep proofs? What's the point?

For those CRH'ing purely for profit there is probably little to no point. You "might" get a slight premium over face for an impaired proof, but typically not much.

For those us that CRH as a hobby, proofs are interesting, fill another slot in our collection, and when found CRH'ing don't cost much.

 

[mineralized_miner]

I got 3 proofs in 1 box, and I have no indians (from crhing at least).