Help a man out

Discussion in 'What's it Worth' started by Bob sap, Aug 27, 2025 at 4:48 PM.

  1. Bob sap

    Bob sap Member

    Are any of these potentially udesirable? Like especially the 1982-90 ones that had a reddish rainbow look. Might some of the 83s be a AM ERROR

    also. Apologize for taking them in a group photo but if anything stands out I can upload more singular ones if anyone notices any possible varieties
     

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  3. JoshuaP

    JoshuaP Supporter! Supporter

    They all look normal to me. I would recommend getting a book about varieties or do some basic research on what you are looking for. The vast majority of coins in circulation are not worth more than face value. Even many errors and varieties are worth very little once they have been circulated much. Don't trust much of what you see on YouTube and eBay.
     
  4. l.cutler

    l.cutler Member

    They're all just normal cents, I've never heard of a 1983 AM error.
     
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  5. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    Since you posted in the What's it Worth section of CoinTalk.. you have a total of 7 Cents and nothing else!
     
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  6. No_Ragrets

    No_Ragrets Self-proclaimed Semi-Amateur Numismatist Supporter

    Don't forget about the weight of the few coppers!
     
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  7. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    Not necessary.
    You can take a bucket full of copper Cents to a scrapyard and they will turn you away. Not worth it! o_O
     
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  8. No_Ragrets

    No_Ragrets Self-proclaimed Semi-Amateur Numismatist Supporter

    But since the dissolution of the penny, they might finally allow... ah who am I kidding? The US government will never allow that. Your point is proven... 7 cents it is!
     
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  9. ksmooter61

    ksmooter61 Not in Kansas anymore

  10. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    Kind of silly IMHO
    Yes, you can buy the 95% Copper Cents. Anyone can sell you anything if you are willing to buy it. But try selling it.
     
  11. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I sell a roll of 50 cents dated 1965 to 1981 for $1.00 a roll in my antique shop. If I can’t get copper cents in circulation it’s not worth it. You ha e seven cents as stated.
     
  12. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Well, that site does say to call them if you're looking to sell. I'm betting they'll still pay above face value -- but not enough above face value to be worthwhile to anyone who places value on their own time.

    Sure, pre-1982 cents contain copper "worth" more than face value. And sure, as inflation continues, that multiple will increase, until eventually even the price for second-rate copper scrap makes it "profitable". And once melting cents is legalized, refiners will optimize their processes for that mix, allowing them to pay more and still make a profit.

    But when each cent is worth a hundred times its face value, the $50 "profit" you'll make from selling a 50-cent roll will be just about enough to buy you a pint of gas, or a small candy bar. And Dollar General will be "Benjamin General", where everything is $100. Still better than Whole Foods, which will be selling milk for $500 a gallon.
     
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  13. ksmooter61

    ksmooter61 Not in Kansas anymore

    It's all about scale. If you can get 2x face, and you can supply 1,000,000 units, you make $10,000. Sure, individually they are insignificant but in quantity they become valuable. And there are BILLIONS of them out there floating around.
     
  14. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    A million cents weigh well over three tons. At scale - at industrial scale - it's absolutely worthwhile to process three tons of stuff for a $10K return. Steel recyclers handle a lot more for a lot less.

    But I don't see this as a path for hobbyists to grow wealthy.
     
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  15. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    I read that as potentially undesirable, so my answer is yes. A couple of them have environmental damage.
     
  16. Bob sap

    Bob sap Member

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