Realcent.org

Looking at the threads section. I am a new hand sorter and only count by the pound. Should I assume 168 per lb? Also, What is an Ugly Abe ? thanks

copper is about 150 per lb give or take 5 for wear. Ugly abes are usually the coppers with dings, green, crud etc

Don't look at me I don't know

My opinion for an "ugly Abe" is simply one beyond being desirable.

This can be from being worn out, burnt, or worse. Below is the Treasury technical terms, for me either can be "ugly."


The Treasury Department has prescribed regulations regarding uncurrent and mutilated coins.

Uncurrent coins are whole, but are worn or reduced in weight by natural abrasion. They are easily recognizable as to genuineness and denomination, and they are such that coin sorting and counting machines will accept them. Merchants and commercial banks will generally accept or refuse these coins at their discretion.

Mutilated coins, on the other hand, are coins that are bent, broken, not whole, or fused or melted together.

One little spooge of green, blue green, blue, or black verdigris and it's into the bucket and away from my keepers. Bad Ugly Abe, very bad. Otherwise, if it's American, copper, and the sorting machine kicks it out . . . it's also ugly which includes most if not all from the above post.

Let's see how many reasons are there for a coin (especially Lincoln cent) to be ugly:

1) Bent
2) Rusted
3) Holed
4) Discolored
5) Heavily scratched
6) Fountain coins (water is not nice to Abe)
7) Foreign substance added (such as nail polish, tar, etc.)
8) Sticky coins
9) Very heavily worn (these aren't too common)
10) Other damage to the coin (i.e., one that has been cut by heavy duty scissors)
11) Dipped
12) Whizzed
13) Cleaned

There probably are a few others that I didn't include here. Feel free to add to the list.