Nickel question

[Section10]

I found this coin roll forum yesterday and I'm getting interested. I see that nickels before 1960 seem to be keepers and wonder why is that the cut-off date?
And if you do find the old nickels who would be interested in buying them as opposed to post 1960? (I ask this because I already have some.)
thanks
Jim

 

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[jeff of pa]

in my case
Just a Preference for the 50's dates back
only the 40%'s & Before have a collector value

 

[cyberdan]

I see that nickels before 1960 seem to be keepers and wonder why is that the cut-off date?

It is all arbitrary. I keep all '59 and older. Probably because I was born in the 50's Some save 1964 and older I think but there are just too many of those around.

Some day the 50's coins will have some value.

 

[Scott (Mich)]

Heh, I always keep nickels my age or older (1963). I think over 10% of the nickels in circulation are dated 1964 so that is my cut-off point.

Happy Hunting,

Scott

 

[Section10]

Thanks for the responses. One more question:
Being not far from Canada I see a few Canadian coins as well--especially pennies. When did Canada last make copper pennies as I assume they are using zinc now also?
Thanks
Jim

 

[GMan00001]

Picking pre-1960 is arbitrary (I technically also save some of the lower mintage 1960+ nickels).

But I think there are a few reasons that 1960 is the cutoff date that was picked:

1) Around 1960 is when the mintage of nickels started to increase substantially.
2) The first whitman folder for Jefferson nickels covers 1938 - 1961 (theoretically the cutoff date should be pre-1962 if this was the true reason #1)
3) 1960 is roughly the date in which pennies were switched from wheats to memorials and roughly when the US went off of the silver standard for coins

Looking at a recent price guide, the prices of 1964 and older jumped a bit over the last year or two, but the newer stuff did not. Personally, I can't see why 1964 jumped as you get at least one in almost every handful of nickels.

With regards to selling pre-1960 nickels. I have heard of a few people having luck selling them either on eBay or at local coin clubs and such, but I don't believe they bring much of a premium, at least not yet. I think I heard they typically were going for around $3 a roll. I heard this all secondhand so I don't know if I have my facts straight or not. In my opinion the harder to find dates are a little underpriced still so I have been gathering them up while I still can, but only at face value .

Part of the reason they are underpriced though is that there are still too many circulating.

Thanks for the responses. One more question:
Being not far from Canada I see a few Canadian coins as well--especially pennies. When did Canada last make copper pennies as I assume they are using zinc now also?
Thanks
Jim

I can't remember the exact date(s), check http://www.coinflation.com and look under the Countries menu for Canada. Based upon metal content value, you can figure out the date transitions.

 

[jrf30]

I keep 1960, 1961 and 1962. Not the Denver mints, but the plains. The mintage is lower than many of the ones made in the 50s. I would NEVER keep 1964, as it would fill my house in a month. THey seem to be everywhere.

 

[Immy]

I just collected enough to complete a roll of each date & mint mark. It was interesting to see which dates got finished first.

Canadian pennies are copper thru 1996.

 

[Emperor Findus Cladius]

Personally I only save 55 and previous as that is the year SanFran quit minting until the sixties. Collectors love to key on that S mintmark.

 

[GMan00001]

Personally I only save 55 and previous as that is the year SanFran quit minting until the sixties. Collectors love to key on that S mintmark.

I think that's partially because the farther east you go, the harder they are to find.