I know I don't get out much, but I just got my first shield cent. It will be interesting to see how it tones.
If it's a BU cent sitting in a 2x2 or album, it will likely never tone. The mint is using a chemical surface protectant that is VERY good. Well protected from air and moisture, it will stay a red, BU coin virtually forever. This is the same chemical found in my newest product, VERDI-CARE™, which will be available through Wizard Coin Supply in a few days.
It's shiney, but it's from circulation and it's already got the spots from the zinc bubbling under the copper. It looks like measles. It there a name for that yet?
I got my first shield cent this past weekend in Durham, NC. I found it on the couch in a car rental place at the airport.
I got my first 2010 penny the other day from a gas station. It looked like they just opened up a roll.
I work at the local Wally-world. I've seen a ton of them. We started getting them about 3 wks. ago. All Phila. Mint. Wish we'd get some Ds in!!!!
Just to show you how out of touch I am with modern coinage, when I saw the title to the thread I thought... What the heck is a shield cent?
I opened up my bi-weekly box of pennies to search for keepers and found the whole box was shields.. now I am glad I didn't search them and they will stay in the rolls in hopes of toning.
I went to the bank today and got some dimes and a couple of rolls of cents to balance my returns (nickles). One roll has a 2010 D on each end. I only need 2 to keep my set up to date. Anyone want a couple ? I could use 2 P mint. Likely won't get any uncirculated ones here on the west side.
When I was in Disneyland it seemed every shop was giving me shiny, fresh from bank roll 2010 cents and oddly enough 2009 LP1s. So my son and I made a couple of albums of pressed souvenir pennies. It was fun trying to collect all the different dies. -LTB
That's great. I had thought of putting together rolls of Jeffersons with 40 different dates, random on the mint marks and offering them on eBay. Figured there were a lot of circulated collections being started. But There were so many cups of coins, I gave it up. LOL I know for kids, it's all im the hunt. Lots of us adults too.
not trying to ruffle anyone's feathers, as everyone has their preferences... I think the shield looks a bit cartoon-ish to me... not nearly as regal and proud as the shields on the 2-cent piece and shield-nickels... my two cents (no pun intended)...