Finding Treasure in Your Penny Jar: A Cherry Picker’s Guide

Roll Hunting & Cherry Picking: Your Path to Hidden Treasures

Ready to uncover numismatic treasures hiding in plain sight? You don’t need a dealer to find valuable coins. Here’s what to look for when searching through circulation, bulk lots, estate sales, and penny jars.

Historical Significance

The humble penny has been a cornerstone of American currency since 1793, with the iconic wheat cent design running from 1909 to 1958. These coins, featuring Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse, represent a fascinating era of American history and design. Their copper composition and classic artwork make them perennial favorites among collectors.

Key Dates and Varieties

While many collectors focus on pre-1963 wheat cents, believing they’re the only valuable ones, this is a misconception. Several key varieties from later years can still be found in circulation:

• 1972 Doubled Die – Worth hundreds in any condition
• 1983 Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) – Can fetch $300-500 in circulated grades
• 1984 Doubled Die – Another valuable find
• 1995 Doubled Die – Still appearing in change
• 1992 Close AM – Can sell for thousands
• 1988-D RDV-6 – Harder to detect but valuable
• 1999 WAM – Worth searching for

Identifying Key Markers

When examining your pennies, use a good magnifying glass or loupe (10x magnification is ideal). Look for these characteristics:

Doubled Dies

These show clear doubling on the date, lettering, or Lincoln’s profile. The 1983 DDR is particularly notable for doubling on the reverse motto “E Pluribus Unum.”

Close AM vs. Wide AM

On the 1992 cents, check the spacing between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” on the reverse. Close AM varieties are significantly more valuable.

Copper vs. Zinc Composition

Before 1982, pennies were 95% copper. After 1982, they switched to copper-plated zinc. The copper cents have a warmer tone and slightly different weight. Sorting by date is the easiest method, but weighing them (copper cents weigh about 3.11g vs. 2.5g for zinc) can help verify.

Where to Search

Circulation Finds

Always check your change! While it takes time, you never know what might turn up. One collector found a 1983 DDR in MS64RD condition just from pocket change.

Bulk Lots and Estate Sales

These are goldmines for cherry pickers. Look for:

• Large collections being sold as a whole
• Bank rolls that haven’t been searched
• Old jars and jugs of pennies (like the 5-gallon jugs mentioned in our forum discussion)

Online Marketplaces

Sometimes you can find unsearched rolls or lots on eBay or other platforms. Be cautious and buy from reputable sellers.

Tools of the Trade

While there aren’t any really good apps for coin identification (as our forum members noted), these tools are essential:

• A quality magnifying glass or loupe (10x magnification)
• Good lighting
• A digital scale accurate to 0.01g
• Reference books or websites like coppercoins.com

Practical Considerations

Sorting through thousands of pennies is indeed time-consuming. One collector mentioned having over 60,000 pennies to go through! Here are some tips:

Organization

Sort by decade or significant date ranges to make the process more manageable. Focus on key dates and varieties rather than examining every single coin.

Storage

Those 5-gallon jugs might seem like a good idea, but they get extremely heavy. Consider using smaller containers or coin tubes for better organization and easier handling.

Value Assessment

Remember that even common wheat cents in good condition can be worth 2-3 cents or more to collectors. While selling them individually might not be cost-effective, they could be valuable as part of a larger collection.

Success Stories

Our forum discussion revealed several inspiring finds:

“People really underestimate what you can still find in change. We are coin collectors for crying out loud! Why not look at your change and see if you’ve got something?” – DCW

Another collector found a 1988-D RDV-6 in MS65RD condition, while someone else discovered a 1983 DDR in their spare coin jar.

Is It Worth the Effort?

This is the question many collectors grapple with. As one forum member noted:

“Unless they were hoarded before 1963 you will probably be wasting your time and eyesight.”

However, the potential rewards can be significant. Finding just one rare doubled die could pay for hours of searching. Plus, there’s the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of discovering something valuable in an unexpected place.

Conclusion

Cherry picking through pennies and other coins in circulation remains a viable hobby for patient collectors. While it requires time and effort, the potential to find valuable varieties like doubled dies, close AM cents, and other rarities makes it worthwhile for many enthusiasts.

Whether you’re sorting through a lifetime’s worth of pocket change, browsing estate sales, or carefully examining bank rolls, remember that every coin has a story. The next rare find could be just a penny away!

Happy hunting, and may your searches be fruitful!

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