do you have an easy way to seperate pre 1982 cents?

AMEN! i agree with you, just carl.

grizz

 

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you're just separating the copper cents, not many key date early lincolns floating around in circ anymore

 

is the us mint ever going to make it legal to melt copper cents?
If not, what's the point in keeping pre 1982 cents

 

The mint does not make laws. Many will melt them legal or not, they will become scarce.

 

i don't think it is worth keeping them. i keep some cents from the 60's, and s mints, but i don't see any future with them. its not like your going to get rich with them. why not hoard copper pipe or wires? you can melt them legally, but not with the coins.

 

I think we have to realize WHY it is illegal to melt cents and nickels.

Because if it were LEGAL, we would run into shortages. Why? Because they are worth MORE melted than in your pocket. HELLO.

On the other hand, the American economy NEEDS pennies and nickels. And it is almost 100% sure that in 2008 or 2009, all cents and nickels will be re-vamped and they will be made of cheaper metals. So when the government introduces them, it MUST be ILLEGAL to melt the current copper/nickel coins. Otherwise, everyone will hoard them and there will be huge shortages. Once the dust settles, the melt ban will be lifted.

That is why some very wise people are hoarding/collecting them now. Nothing to lose and maybe get 500% gain in just a couple of years. Yes, they're heavy and they take up space.

But a 500% return in 2 years? (I'm guessing the return - it might even be way higher).

 

...I am certain that you have heard about meth addicts stealing all copper they can lay their hands on. It seems like it relates somehow.

 

They aren't just scratching them, they are making valuable, rare, post mint errors!!

 

So back to the original question. How to separate pre 1982 cents. In reality very simple. Just stop a kid in the neighborhood and ask him or her to do it for you and pay them naturally. A small amount of cash should do the job for you and make a kid aware of coin dates. Even better, have them separate them by Mint marks also.

 

LMAO..that was a great chuckle..thanks

LMAO

 

Well I will continue to collect them here in Canada. So, if your Mint wants them back, tell them I will take .07 per coin PLUS 26.95 shipping per every 5 coins - 2 to 3 weeks processing


LMAO

 

I have never really had a problem seperating the coppers by hand, but then again, I have near 20/20 vision. If reading the dates is hard for you, get a magnifying glass, and like others have said, use the simple drop test for 1982's. Spending $150 on a machine doesn't make since when the profits are marginal to begin with. Plus, you can look for keys and errors when sorting by hand. Thats how I found my 1999 wide AM.

 

I think that we are talking about 2 different things. I am talking about going through several boxes in a matter of like an hour with 100% accuracy, but no numismatic search. BTW it seems like this machine would not really damage coins, what do you guys think.

 

I see what you want to do, but I'd be iffy about a machine because of possible damage to the coins, and it would only be beneficial to search for rare dates/errors. I've almost collected a $50 worth of coppers (see sig) by hand searching, but I guess thats my preference.

However, since you just care about the coppers and not rare coins, the machine would probably be a good choice, if you have $150 (at least) to spend.

 

it is the $150 that is holding me back. If it were $50 I'd buy it in a heart beat

 

I wouldn't bother sorting them for the copper. Start saving 1981 and older cents. It isn't worth the time and effort.

 

Did you see the machine I linked? It goes through them quickly and accurately (they claim) but it is $150.00

 

i don't think the machine damages coins. all it has is a sorter like they have on the coinstar machines. they set it where it rejects copper cents. when you put the cents in, the rejected copper ones go down one chute, and the accepted zinc ones go through another chute. the only damage is that the coins nick each other when they are in the hopper. unless its uncirculated, it don't really matter, they have nicks on them anyway.:smile

 

exactly

 

I remember when my Pap used to butcher steers when I was young. To me, the first machine looks like one of those old hand crank grinders that they used to put chunks of beef in and turn it into hamburger. The only thing missing is the hand crank on the side.