A pre-'82 penny is actually worth about 1.5x to 3x its face value, depending on what copper is doing at the time. Scrap copper closed at $3.25/lb yesterday, so an older penny is probably worth about double face value at the moment...
Tam, those are two completely independent questions.
No. I don't sort my pennies on the basis of a 1982 date. I do glance through my coins and look for really old stuff. The criteria for "really old" is entirely subjective. You see, my criteria hasn't changed since I was a kid. Anything older than I am I consider "really old". And I was born several years before you.
I figure picking up brass at the range yields a better return in the scrap metal market.
As far as you being weird, I could be a smart ass but I'm not so stupid that I would punch Mike Tyson or George Foreman in the nose so I'm not going to get snarky with you.
Weird is relative. In my world view you are very near perfect (I have a preference for brunettes and non-smokers) but for some people I'm sure you are beyond weird and well into the evil regardless of how you sort your pennies. If you worry about being considered weird you need to work on your self-esteem and let others worry about being weird.
No you aren't the only one. However, I do it for numismatic value as much as copper value.
Incidentally not all 1982 pennies were copper, some are zinc. There are, taking into account large date, and small date formats 7 different varieties of copper and zinc pennies from 1982
I just pick them up, sort by country (Canada has a woman on it) roll it up and deposit it in an account that won't keep up with inflation or devaluation of the coins. But I do hate to see them ground up by road ravage.
You are almost unique, weird is a bit strange and you aren't a bit of anything.
For 2-3x face value, it's not worth the effort - now, the old silver pre-67 coins, at, what, 10x face these days? That's worthwhile, but you never find them.
(I only sort of wheat-backs, which are also uncommon.)
Awesome! I was just doing this at my desk, before I decided to go through the daily blogs I read. Only 4 pre-'82 in today's change, darn it. I figure if all else, they might melt into nice "lead" someday, or I can use them for plating, if I REALLY had to.
Pre' 64 silver coins (dimes, quarter, halves) absolutely get sorted out. Pennies is a whole 'nuther deal. The kids have a blast sorting them out, especially when they find a 'wheatie!'
We just need a way to automate the sorting process. The people at Coinstar (automated counting kiosks) are probably working on it. And then the laws saying you can't melt it down.
I do save pennies! However, I hoard all money. And then trade it for something, usually a gun. I have been saving all pennies for about 30 years. I pick them up near vending machines where people get frustrated and throw them down.
I do consider myself weird. And you too of course.
I guess I'm really weird then. At the end of every day my wife and I dump all our change and $1 bills. We have containers for pennies, nickles, dimes/quarters, and dollar bills. Every so often we sort the pennies, dimes and quarters further for copper/silver and store those. If I ever "borrow" from the jars then I always replace it with a greater amount. Say if I need a few singles, I throw I fiver in the jar in their place. When the jars fill up, the money gets used on something fun, like a trip or gun. The funds build up faster then you would think.
Sigivald: There was a time (not that long ago) when the silver dimes were only worth 2-3 times their face value. Speaking for me personally; I don't save pennies and nickles for what they are worth now, I save them for what they may be worth in the future.
Nothing wrong with being weird or crazy. I'm alittle bit of both, it's the ones that don't admit it that you have to look out for! I collect all silver (color, that is)coins minted in 1972 or earlier. '72 was the last year Harley-Davidson used all American made parts on their bikes. AMF/Ride Safe
Post-1982 pennies weigh 2.5 grams. This came in handy when we home schooled our kids and I was too cheap to buy calibrated weights for 2 or 3 lessons. Older pennies are a little over 3 grams.
There is about $55 of pennies in a gallon jar, as discovered many years ago in broke student days.
When was the last time any of you actually had a silver coin handed you in change?
The coinstar people, like the Government and the intelligent banks, already do this by machine and have been since 1982. They sort and select by coin weight, the coppers weigh significantly more.
And no, I don't sort- yes it's doubling your money, but my time is worth more to me.
BUT, if I were working in a retail store where I had to be there ANYWAY, I absolutely would.
I save the copper pennies for a totally different reason. One of my sons, the career military one, uses them in those souvenir coin masher machines where ever he travels to. Either with the Army or on family trips. He and his family got me started on it and now I always save the copper pennies and keep twice as many quarters(it costs fifty cents to use the coin masher)with them.
Even today's zinc core pennies are worth more than a penny due to both copper and zinc getting so pricey.
Half dollar coins from 1965 through 1970 are 40% silver (as opposed to the 90% silver of pre-65 coins) and tend to get missed by people looking for 1964 or earlier dates. They're worth several times face value.
No I don't, but you're still weird. Come on in, the water's fine.
ReplyDeleteBryanP
I think all of that early morning making of the donuts is just beginning to have an adverse effect.
ReplyDeleteBut I wouldn't go all the way to weird.
Is that when they quit making them outta copper?
ReplyDeleteYup.
ReplyDeleteA pre-'82 penny is actually worth about 1.5x to 3x its face value, depending on what copper is doing at the time. Scrap copper closed at $3.25/lb yesterday, so an older penny is probably worth about double face value at the moment...
I guess you can add me to the weird group, then.
ReplyDeleteI do - I do! Only recently though (last two years or so).
ReplyDeleteTam, those are two completely independent questions.
ReplyDeleteNo. I don't sort my pennies on the basis of a 1982 date. I do glance through my coins and look for really old stuff. The criteria for "really old" is entirely subjective. You see, my criteria hasn't changed since I was a kid. Anything older than I am I consider "really old". And I was born several years before you.
I figure picking up brass at the range yields a better return in the scrap metal market.
As far as you being weird, I could be a smart ass but I'm not so stupid that I would punch Mike Tyson or George Foreman in the nose so I'm not going to get snarky with you.
Weird is relative. In my world view you are very near perfect (I have a preference for brunettes and non-smokers) but for some people I'm sure you are beyond weird and well into the evil regardless of how you sort your pennies. If you worry about being considered weird you need to work on your self-esteem and let others worry about being weird.
No you aren't the only one. However, I do it for numismatic value as much as copper value.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally not all 1982 pennies were copper, some are zinc. There are, taking into account large date, and small date formats 7 different varieties of copper and zinc pennies from 1982
No, but I am collecting nickels, the "poor man's silver".
ReplyDeleteharryk9
I collect any coin that's older than I am (1961). Just because.
ReplyDeleteDid you pick that up over at RNS?
ReplyDeleteI read the same piece about a week ago and didn't realize that pennies hadn't made the zinc transition when the silver coins did.
I just pick them up, sort by country (Canada has a woman on it) roll it up and deposit it in an account that won't keep up with inflation or devaluation of the coins. But I do hate to see them ground up by road ravage.
ReplyDeleteYou are almost unique, weird is a bit strange and you aren't a bit of anything.
Not yet. I do save berdan primed empty brass for the metal, and all others for for reloading or trade.
ReplyDeleteI also look through change for oddities and silver. Copper..... not yet. Suppose I should.
Too lazy?
Weird? Yes, you are.
Thank God.
Most of the interesting people in the world are just that.
I met a normal person once. I didn't like him.
Come to think of it, I really don't like MOST of the people I meet.
You're weird, not-that-there's-anything-wrong-with-that.
ReplyDeleteFor 2-3x face value, it's not worth the effort - now, the old silver pre-67 coins, at, what, 10x face these days? That's worthwhile, but you never find them.
(I only sort of wheat-backs, which are also uncommon.)
I vote for weird, but it's not like that's a bad thing...
ReplyDeleteButton pinned to the wall of my cube.
ReplyDelete"Better Weird than Dull"
Just so's ya know.
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI was just doing this at my desk, before I decided to go through the daily blogs I read. Only 4 pre-'82 in today's change, darn it.
I figure if all else, they might melt into nice "lead" someday, or I can use them for plating, if I REALLY had to.
Pre' 64 silver coins (dimes, quarter, halves) absolutely get sorted out. Pennies is a whole 'nuther deal. The kids have a blast sorting them out, especially when they find a 'wheatie!'
ReplyDeleteWe just need a way to automate the sorting process. The people at Coinstar (automated counting kiosks) are probably working on it. And then the laws saying you can't melt it down.
ReplyDeleteI do collect nickles since it's easy.
BTW I did look at the pennies once and came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it. Plus it reminded me each time that my vision is deteriorating...
ReplyDeleteThanks-a-bunch, Tam!
ReplyDeleteNow I gotta go sort my change again.
Pennies: I keep a film canister around somewhere to put the copper ones in, but I doubt I've got more than ten or so.
ReplyDeleteI keep them because I might need a copper washer or gasket. Just drill a hole and then anneal with a propane torch.
Really now, I can scrape up a discarded lead acid battery easier than finding 100 copper pennies, and melting down those pennies is illegal anyway.
Yes, I save all my pre-'82 pennies - have for years.
ReplyDeleteBTW, my niece says "normal is a setting on a dryer"
Wait, lemme get this straight, you only keep the pre 82?
ReplyDeleteThat is wierd. I keep all of 'em in a gallon wine bottle. Haven't turned them in paper money in a coupla years..
I do save pennies!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I hoard all money. And then trade it for something, usually a gun.
I have been saving all pennies for about 30 years. I pick them up near vending machines where people get frustrated and throw them down.
I do consider myself weird.
And you too of course.
I guess I'm really weird then.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of every day my wife and I dump all our change and $1 bills. We have containers for pennies, nickles, dimes/quarters, and dollar bills.
Every so often we sort the pennies, dimes and quarters further for copper/silver and store those.
If I ever "borrow" from the jars then I always replace it with a greater amount. Say if I need a few singles, I throw I fiver in the jar in their place.
When the jars fill up, the money gets used on something fun, like a trip or gun. The funds build up faster then you would think.
Sigivald: There was a time (not that long ago) when the silver dimes were only worth 2-3 times their face value. Speaking for me personally; I don't save pennies and nickles for what they are worth now, I save them for what they may be worth in the future.
Nothing wrong with being weird or crazy. I'm alittle bit of both, it's the ones that don't admit it that you have to look out for! I collect all silver (color, that is)coins minted in 1972 or earlier. '72 was the last year Harley-Davidson used all American made parts on their bikes. AMF/Ride Safe
ReplyDeletePost-1982 pennies weigh 2.5 grams. This came in handy when we home schooled our kids and I was too cheap to buy calibrated weights for 2 or 3 lessons. Older pennies are a little over 3 grams.
ReplyDeleteThere is about $55 of pennies in a gallon jar, as discovered many years ago in broke student days.
When was the last time any of you actually had a silver coin handed you in change?
ReplyDeleteThe coinstar people, like the Government and the intelligent banks, already do this by machine and have been since 1982. They sort and select by coin weight, the coppers weigh significantly more.
And no, I don't sort- yes it's doubling your money, but my time is worth more to me.
BUT, if I were working in a retail store where I had to be there ANYWAY, I absolutely would.
I save the copper pennies for a totally different reason. One of my sons, the career military one, uses them in those souvenir coin masher machines where ever he travels to. Either with the Army or on family trips. He and his family got me started on it and now I always save the copper pennies and keep twice as many quarters(it costs fifty cents to use the coin masher)with them.
ReplyDeleteWhat's a Penny? Here in California everything starts at a Dollar.
ReplyDeleteA penny = once cent for copper at $1.22. Today's spot price of copper is about $3.25, so that's 2.66 cents per penny.
ReplyDeleteWeird doesn't equal stoopid.
:D, Art
Two other little tidbits...
ReplyDeleteEven today's zinc core pennies are worth more than a penny due to both copper and zinc getting so pricey.
Half dollar coins from 1965 through 1970 are 40% silver (as opposed to the 90% silver of pre-65 coins) and tend to get missed by people looking for 1964 or earlier dates. They're worth several times face value.
I was once told this by a trial lawyer friend of mine.....
ReplyDelete"In court, a good lawyer never asks a question to which he does not know the answer, or how the questionee will answer"......
I'm not sure why I thought that might apply here...but....