What to Do with Old Pennies? My Numismatic Journey

I recently found a stash of old pennies—about $30 worth, all from 1940 to 1975—that sent me on a fun little adventure. As someone who’s saved wheat pennies since I was a kid but never really explored the later issues, I spent an afternoon sorting through them with my children. We filled our Whitman folders and had a great time, but then came the question: what about all these Lincoln Memorial cents from 1959 onward? They’re not rare, but tossing them back into circulation felt wrong. So I dug into some options, and here’s what I discovered for anyone in the same boat.

Sorting and Keeping the Wheat Pennies

Sorting through that pile with my kids was a highlight. We pulled every wheat-back penny for our folders—such a great way to get young ones hooked on coins. They got excited checking dates and conditions, and we talked about simple grading tricks like spotting crisp details and light wear. For those 1940-1958 finds, I’d say keep them in albums. It’s a satisfying way to preserve history and makes for a fun family project. But after we filled our folders, we faced a stack of Lincoln Memorial cents starting from 1959. That’s when things got interesting.

Options for the Leftover Pennies

Figuring out what to do with those 1959-1975 pennies took some thought—they’re everyday coins, but they just didn’t feel like ordinary change. Here’s what I learned works well:

• Donate to youth programs: Local Scout troops often need coins for their collecting badges. It’s perfect for sparking that first interest in coins, and many coin clubs host tables at events where kids can sort through donations.
• Sell for profit: My neighborhood coin shop pays 3 cents per wheat penny and 2 cents for copper Memorial cents (1959-1981) since their metal value tops face value. Pre-1982 cents are especially popular with folks saving them for their copper content.
• Repurpose or donate: Groups like the Elongated Cents club use these for creating pressed pennies at shows—always a kid favorite. Donating to a coin club’s “junior collector” station works too.
• Cash them in: Banks will take them, but I’d never do that without checking for errors first. More on why below!

What I Learned About the Market

Turns out pre-1982 pennies are popular right now—their copper content means they’re worth about double face value in bulk. If you’re saving for metal value, 1959-1981 dates are your best bet. When selling, try coin shops or online groups; they’ll often pay a bit extra for larger batches. One lesson I learned the hard way? Always double-check for errors. I nearly missed some doubled dies and repunched mint marks that could’ve been valuable. Even separating worn coins from sharper ones can help if you decide to sell.

Getting Kids Involved in Collecting

Seeing my kids’ excitement changed how I view those “common” pennies. Donating to Scouts isn’t just clearing space—it plants the collecting bug. I’ve watched kids at coin shows go wide-eyed over simple finds, and it reminds me why sharing the hobby matters. Now, I always search for varieties before passing pennies along. That 1960 small date or 1972 doubled die could be sitting right there in your pile, turning a routine sort into a treasure hunt.

I donated most of mine to a Scout group and sold a few batches—enough for a nice family pizza night. It reminded me that even ordinary coins carry stories and value. If you’ve got a jar of old pennies gathering dust, enjoy the hunt, share what you find, and keep the passion alive. Happy collecting!