I have a complete 1943 steel penny mint mark collection encased with a certificate of authenticity which attests to the fact that the coins in the collection are all genuine coinage. The collection consists of genuine coins, each one hand selected and inspected for quality. Each coin is verified to be in collectible condition. I am not able to upload a pic showing detail because the reflection on the case will not allow a clear view. However, the obverse of the San Francisco minted penny is unmistakably missing the "I" in liberty. Does anyone know the estimated value of this collection? Any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Impossible to say without a picture. Possibly if you open the case if that is possible. Likely value is around $3 to $5 if they are nice AU to BU coins.
What it sounds like you have is a "collection" that was put together by many different concerns in the United States. The majority of them use reprocessed or replated cents so that they look nice and shiny. The missing "I" is due either to a weak strike, wear, a filled die or any combination of these factors. These look nice but really have little value. Who is the cert of authenticity from and maybe we can help you.
Can you at least post a picture of the non-government third party certificate? And maybe take a picture at an angle with light to the side. Or another well light place without direct light?
You could easily open the holder. Either way a missing I does not add any value. Just adds to the curiosity. Sounds like a totally awesome set off steel cents. So in conclusion what they are worth to you is what they are worth.
Sounds like the "I" is missing due to filled die. This is a very common occurrence, and adds no premium to the coin, imo. (FYI - the Missing 4 in the date error is by far the most common Steel Cent filled die error)
Those reprocessed steelies are worthless. They may look nice, but they have no value. The steelies are VERY common you can go to any coin store, they will have a bucket of them. You can pick through and make your own set from genuine non reprocessed coins for less than a dollar.
You would need a photo, but if it has been counterstamped (if someone put RR on there) that would be damage.
A certificate of authenticity is worth the paper it's printed on. Unless it comes from a reputable backer with something behind them, it's just useless paper. Most of the coins in those sets are reprocessed (stripped of their original zinc plating and then replated - sometimes with nickel or chrome). Numismatically that makes them worthless.
I always have to smile about the line "verified to be in collectible condition"...ALL coins can be collected in all conditions. There are folks that collect coins in the lowest condition possible while still identifying the coin type and date...
