English Large Cents? Worth it for .20 cents each?

[winchester333]

I found a coin shop near me and he was selling world coins @ 5 for a dollar. He had a small box and I found these for 20 cents each.
He has several large shoe boxes full of world coins that he said I could sort through next week and I was wondering if these are worth buying at 5 for $1.00?

What's the copper value in an English large cent? Are they pure copper? Thanks for any info.

[jasmatk]

pretty sure they are bronze I would buy them at that price they sell for more than that on ebay some of the older are worth a little.for a couple bucks id say buy them all look through the years when you get them home and see what you got worst case you could sell them as a lot and get your money back......I would also study a little on foreign silver this weekend so you will know what to look for when your going through those shoeboxes might be something better than copper in there.

[uthminsta]

British pennies from 1860-1922 are 9.4 grams and are 95% copper.
From 1926-1967 they are still 9.4 grams but are 95.5% copper.
With copper currently at around $4.30, that comes to about 8.5 cents worth of copper each. There are better dates throughout, but as with any world coin, their numismatic value always depends on whether you can get a buyer. That farthing is certainly worth more than 20 cents. Nice detail.

[winchester333]

The 1881 H Farthing is in great shape. I was happy to get it.
I think I'll keep buying these large cents when I come across them. I'll try and haggle with him for bulk prices.

[TXBullion]

I was looking through junk and wondering myself today. Last tie they were 10 for a dollar with a whole bunch of the big pennys and I didnt take them. last night I pretty much did the uthminsta calculation and I figured for spot copper these would be great to buy and they moved them to another bn for 25cents. Still maybe not a bad deal but there was only a few

[AGgressive Metal]

The short answer is that it is worth it for some but maybe not all. Just like US coins they vary in price based on year, mintage, condition, etc.

For instance, 1919H in XF is $275.00 and a 1961 in VF is $0.10

[flbandit]

I buy them from time to time, more because I like them than for copper value. I just got an 1861 Penny, and a 1746 half penny recently.

[Know Common Cents]

Don't dismiss the Cool Factor for these bigger coppers. How many coins (mostly in better condition) between 100-200 years old can be purchased for 10-20 cents each? I've started a date set I know I'll never be able to finish completely, but it's much cheaper, for example, than assembling a set (also virtually impossible on a pauper's budget) of Seated Liberty Dollars.

I had some spares that I gave out to the neighborhood kids I knew at Halloween. Cheaper than candy and easier on the teeth unless someone tries to bite 'em.

[HoardCopperByTheTon]

I will admit to having some of the British Large Cents, Australian Large Cents and Canadian Large Cents in the hoard for diversification.. and the coolness factor. I really like that farthing too.

[Devil Soundwave]

I got a big bag of 100 uncirculated 1967 pennies for about £7 ($14) plus shipping which kinda doubled the price.

Nice coins - very good feel in the hand. Shame we moved to teh stinky new penny in 1971 which has zero charm.

[winchester333]

I will admit to having some of the British Large Cents, Australian Large Cents and Canadian Large Cents in the hoard for diversification.. and the coolness factor. I really like that farthing too.

I listed that Farthing on ebay for $4 with free shipping to the USA. It's about as nice as they get.

[Verbane]

With copper currently at around $4.30, that comes to about 8.5 cents worth of copper each.

With the eroding of purchase "value" of the FRN, and copper on the rise (despite fluctuations), I'm buying large pennies (diversifying). Now i'm thinking long term, 5-10+ years, but at $.20 each from a local shop, thats not a bad price considering what Ebay lots go for plus shipping. You need to consider why your buying them and your time line. I think China will have the final word on copper and the new copper funds are only fueling the fire.

1 AVoz = 28.35g / 8.93g per large penny = 3 .17 large pennies per AVoz