Sitting here hunting another box of nickels and just still amazed at how many 39 P's, 40 P's, 41 P's, 46 P's, etc.. of high mintage nickels that are still out there and just doing their job (everyday transactions). Not that they are in great shape but think how old these are & "still kicking" in regular commerce is a testiment to the quality of our mint and the job they do. The cents are still doing well also. How many wheaties do we find every box? Still out there doing their job. John
I find 1960 and older nickels all the time at work. I've even found 3 war nickels, 4 buffalos, and a V nickel. I've been fortunate.
Not the Zincolns. Those things rot away like nobody's business. I sometimes wonder if the mint wouldn't have saved more money by continuing minting the 95% copper cents instead of switching to copper coated zinc. They wouldn't have to mint nearly as many per year since they hold up over time. Dunno...just a thought.
i have found 1 buffalo nickel from change (happened to be a 1917-s) but i have also 3 war nickels too. but not 1 v.
Why keep minting copper cents when it cost more then the face value to do it......let the Zincolns rot away.
That is great but not really what I was trying to convey. Lots of members bash the mint on this & that but to still find these Old common coins is a testament to our mint & our country.
Yeah, imagine what the currently minted coins will look like in 70+ years. They will not look as good as those late 30s and early 40s Jeffersons.
They may look just fine. How many have you tucked away? A box here, a roll there. I know I try to put a few aside each year.
Actively retiring everything pre-1950. I have several boxes of 30s and many more of 40s. I was saving 50s but there are just too many of them. I only save the 1950 and any S mints from the 50s now.
My reply about how many tucked away was referring to modern day mintages. They will look real good years from now in sealed boxes & rolls. I only retire the low mintage nickels for my addiction. Still can't help keeping those with 50 mil mintages but there old. But over that I have to toss them back unless great condition. Every 2009 of course is kept.
Shucks, I really only did the thread to tongue in cheek make fun of the fact that no matter what the mint does someone is not happy. HOF coins anyone. Listen to the howls & complaints but not from those who cashed in early.... I guess the mint hit that series out of the park & good for them.
The zinc pennies do not age well at all. They look "dirty" when they get old while the copper pennies just get dark.
