My Dad (awesome dude btw) came down to visit me last winter here in Florida. Ive talked to him before about having fun with casual coin hunting. He brought a small jar of coins and gave it to me. When I looked at them originally, I was just looking for erros and didnt see anything worth investigating further. I put them back away until this morning looking again. I by no means can even begin to understand grading. I can tell you if something "looks good" or "looks like road damage" and thats the extent of it. I do realize its hard to even guess a grade by photography. So with these pennies, they look like they are in good shape in my "opinion". some look amazing actually and are a pretty color and have very little dings or scratches. Some dont even look touched much. They must have been put away pretty soon after 1974. There are some other dates in this batch. My question is simple, is there any real premium for 1974 pennies worth investigating? Also, whats the best way for me to put these back and store them. Im assuming that putting them back in this baby food jar is probably not the best route. Is there a better way to put these away with common stuff from around the house or will I need to buy some sort of storing kit or something? Thank you!!!!
I would roll them up, and put them away until you are able to make a grade decision They did come from your father. As for the year there really isn't anything that adds a premium besides It's condition. There is two different MMS (mint mark styles) for the S. http://www.varietyvista.com/01b LC Doubled Dies Vol 2/San Francisco Mintmark Styles.htm They are MMS-008, 009
Thats awesome advice to hear. So just put them in a roll? Easy! My Dad got them from his Mom I guess before she died. He was given a bunch of really nice stuff. silver quarters and mostly "metal value" stuff. He hung on to these because he didnt know what to do with them. Im glad. Its kind of cool to know my grandmother who I didnt really know put some "thought" into this little jar. Hopefully, she is OK with me having them! For whatever reason, Im glad I got these because its made me think. Im going to do the same thing right now for my future grand kids. Just a roll of 2019 pennies or something. Heres another picture up close. I still think they good even though there are little imperfections. Im really curious though, from this picture alone, what kind of grade would you give these in a range? I am only curious as to know because I have not one real graded anything....I can only look at stuff online to compare. to me one thing thats cool is Lincoln sitting in that chair really "pops". The details are so interesting to look at.
It's a MMS -009. It's hard to tell how much circulation the coin has. Your grandma probably pulled most of these from her pocket change. Nice looking Lincoln. If it graded MS it would be low MS 60 to 62. The odds are that it is AU in hand. Look for loss of luster on the high points. Ear, cheek, forehead. Rev. Stairs, cornice, pillars.
If you're having trouble grading coins from photos, then maybe you should invest in a book on grading like this one.... Chris
Check all the 1972 Philadelphia minted (no mint mark under the date) ones for doubling of the letters on the obverse.
