Numismatic question.

[bobinsd]

What to do? I found a 15lb. bag of pennies in my recently deceased wife's closet.
Is it worth looking for something of value? If so, what should I look for?

I also found a 1892 gold half eagle in very good shape. Is Ebay the best bet to get value?

TIA.

 

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[jewelerguy]

certainly wouldn't hurt to go through the pennies. What mint mark is the half eagle?

 

[bobinsd]

certainly wouldn't hurt to go through the pennies. What mint mark is the half eagle?

No mark....Philadelphia.

I don't know what to look for in the pennies.

 

[peruna]

cointrackers.com is a simple and conservative value site. It would be worth the time to sort through them

Great discovery!

 

[tamrock]

No mark....Philadelphia.

I don't know what to look for in the pennies.

View attachment 2060148

The Top 16 Most Valuable Pennies

See the 16 most valuable pennies and learn what makes them so special to collectors. The pennies worth the most money were created by accident.

www.thesprucecrafts.com

 

[bobinsd]

No mark....Philadelphia.

I don't know what to look for in the pennies.

View attachment 2060148

 

[bobinsd]

I looked at every penny and there were 4 or five wheats out of 20 lbs.. about 3500 pennies. will a bank take them?
I noticed that the 1979 pennies survived much better than thase from surrounding years. you could actually feel as well as see the difference in definition. Did they use a new die that year?

 

[jewelerguy]

based on your pics, I'm estimating the condition to be VF as you can tell it's been circulated enough not to warrant an AU grade, but still in a nice condition that shows little wear. I would estimate it's 'book' value in the range of 650-700 dollars. It's a beautiful coin.

 

[Louie D]

Pics of pennies?

 

[oldmxrat]

If you sell it as an auction on eBay, you'll get what it's actually worth (i.e.; what someone is willing to pay for it). Good detailed pictures are the key here. I've sold several there and got far more than anyone else was willing to pay. Just be aware, eBay reports sales to the IRS, so don't forget to show it as income on your tax return.

 

[Tedyoh]

I looked at every penny and there were 4 or five wheats out of 20 lbs.. about 3500 pennies. will a bank take them?
I noticed that the 1979 pennies survived much better than thase from surrounding years. you could actually feel as well as see the difference in definition. Did they use a new die that year?

If all the pennies are 1981 or older you have about $87 in scrap copper....each copper penny would have a scrap value of .025 cents. I keep all my copper pennies... I probably have about 100 lbs.

 

[jewelerguy]

If all the pennies are 1981 or older you have about $87 in scrap copper....each copper penny would have a scrap value of .025 cents. I keep all my copper pennies... I probably have about 100 lbs.

only problem with that is that it is currently illegal to sell pennies as scrap copper. That might change some day if the government finally decides to stop making pennies.

 

[bobinsd]

Pics of pennies?

All 3500?

 

[cudamark]

I looked at every penny and there were 4 or five wheats out of 20 lbs.. about 3500 pennies. will a bank take them?
I noticed that the 1979 pennies survived much better than thase from surrounding years. you could actually feel as well as see the difference in definition. Did they use a new die that year?

I'd look up the wheat cents and any key memorial cents for values. Condition is the major factor when it comes to value once you've determined the date and mint mark. You can get a coin book to help with value and grading, or, go online to various websites. The Lincoln Cent Resource has been a good site for that.

 

[Mackaydon]

I'd keep one cent in memory of your wife, sell the rest and buy a nice gift for yourself; again, in memory of your wife.
Don.......

 

[l.cutler]

There are errors and varieties that could be worth more than face value. If you don't know what to look for however, it would be a waste of time going through them. If you are not in any hurry, study up on some sites like error-ref.com, doubleddie.com and varietyvista.com, before even going through them. Don't even think about watching youtube videos for information, they are mostly click bait hype nonsense! If you don't have the time or desire to do this, I would just sort out and keep the wheat cents and cash in the rest.

 

[bobinsd]

There are errors and varieties that could be worth more than face value. If you don't know what to look for however, it would be a waste of time going through them. If you are not in any hurry, study up on some sites like error-ref.com, doubleddie.com and varietyvista.com, before even going through them. Don't even think about watching youtube videos for information, they are mostly click bait hype nonsense! If you don't have the time or desire to do this, I would just sort out and keep the wheat cents and cash in the rest.

Why just the wheats?

 

[cudamark]

They're older, and generally have more potential for value. There again as I.cutler mentioned, there can all sorts of rare varieties of the more modern coins that have value too. It's a matter of the time it takes to sort through them all and recognize what is a true variety or mint error, and what is PMD (Post Mint Damage). Chances are always slim to find anything of great value in modern coins, but, the time is yours to use as you please.

 

[ARC]

Can you please take a closer (macro) picture of BOTH sides...

I am asking you to do this because I feel your coin has some real value.

 

[l.cutler]

Why just the wheats?

Because even the common wheats are worth a few cents. I still save them when I come across them.