Ok, so my last penny wasn't worth anything. What about this one? It's actually in really good condition compared to a lot of my other wheat pennies. And the date looks thick.
Yes, they look like die chips. With that said, you should be comparing the condition to established grading standards, not your other coins. Chris
Better late than never...... https://www.whitman.com/store/Inven...-Standards-for-United-States-Coins+0794819931 Chris
Well I do have a book I bought that explains briefly the different grades and has some pictures. I just haven't seen any graded coins really and don't know anyone else who collects coins. I'm still trying to learn. Thanks for all the help
A good step is to learn to notice amounts of wear , and what it causes on the fields and the devices ( raised portions). Many years ago, I went to the bank and bought 4 rolls of nickels for face, and then on a sheet of poster board, I started arranging them according to wear. The first ones were easily, but as I had scores of nickels, they became harder to place between others in the correct "wear" space. Eventually , you will even find many that you see as equal. Then read and look at a grading guide such as the below that are rather general, and try to estimate a grade. This will allow you to see that wear is gradual and not steps , even though the numerical grades may indicate this. You won't be a PCGS grader or anything at this point, but you will probably feel relatively secure with the one coin type. The purpose is not to be able to assign a numerical grade, although you might, but instead learn how to look for wear and the extent of such. Then cash the coins in or keep for reference. Then move to memorial cents http://coinauctionshelp.com/howtograde_jeffersonnickels.html#.U46TQije5Gk http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2007/12/how_to_grade_nickels.php
Thanks! Good idea and I have lots of coins. Maybe I should try to arrange them. Never thought about it like that.
