First post, I've been bitten

[joemac]

Hi all, My name is Joe. I live in Southern MD and just started sorting pennies. I have been buying silver for a year or so and wanted to try something else. I bought $10 in pennies yesterday and I count by hand right now. Here is how they broke:

1982 26
1981 22
1980 25
1979 18
1978 29
1977 13
1976 9
1975 19
1974 23
1973 15
1972 7
1971 10
1970 6
1969 7
1968 5
1967 4
1966 4
1965 5
1964 12
1963 4
1962 1
1961 1
1960 2
1959 2

I also found a 38,41 and 44 wheat and two Canadian pennies a 94 and a 76. Out of 1000 coins, I calculate that as 27% as copper. Is that similar to what everyone else is finding? I also counted 600 quarters, 600 dimes and 200 or so nickels and didn't hit on any 90% or 40%ers. I am hoping to get a roll or two of half dollars this week to sort.

I've kept my '82s separate for now, how are you guys sorting those? I don't have any machinery. Can it be done by weight, I have a digital scale on the list to weigh other things like jewelry scrap.

[Rodebaugh]

Welcome aboard.

And yes 27% is pretty good and in line with normal percentages.

[henrysmedford]

The zinc and copper versions of the cent were both produced in 1982. They can be differentiated by weight (3.11 grams for the 1909-1982 copper cent, 2.5 grams for the 1982-2011 zinc cent). Also by sound if you drop them the zinc ones have a thud and the copper ones have a ring.

[Andrew Jackson]

Welcome aboard, running about 30-33% here. Best wishes in your searches!

[sparechange]

Welcome to the board. There is no turning back once the sorting bug bites. Hope your hoard grows quickly. I weigh the 82's but still keep them separate, for no particular reason.

[Hawkeye]

Welcome and good luck in your sorting. I'm a hand sorter and have always kept the 82s separate until I either get a gram scale or feel like spending a bunch of time dropping pennies on my counter, neither of which has happened yet. I would say that 27% is about average. I find myself getting anywhere from around 20% up to 35%.

[68Camaro]

Northeast and upper midwest states seem to have a higher percentage. Percentage in south and california is more like 18-22%, or lower.

[newton7]

Welcome to the forum. Precentages down in TX range from 18 to 22%.

[joemac]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I re-upped today. $100 in dimes. Finally found my first '64. I feel like I hit the lottery. Also got $30 in pennies. Pretty bad when they tell you all they have right now is $30, when you ask for $50.

There were 8 rolls you could tell came from the same person. All of them except one had a wheat showing.



Just these 8 broke this way:

82 6
81 4
80 4
79 5
78 10
77 3
76 7
75 7
74 3
73 1
72 2
71 1
70 1
69 1
68 2
67 2
65 1
64 1
62 1
61 1
53 1
52 3
51 1
50 1
44 2
42 1
41 2
39 2
37 2
36 2
and a 63 and 72 Canadian
83 out of 400 or 22%. Way more wheats than average but overall right in line. The last roll with no wheat showing had zero coppers. Weird really if you ask me.

Just got done counting the rest, they broke this way:

82 68
81 50
80 60
79 38
78 30
77 27
76 49
75 30
74 27
73 41
72 23
71 26
70 22
69 23
68 35
67 13
66 8
65 12
64 17
63 4
62 13
61 4
60 9
59 9
58 1
56 1
55 1
53 1
52 4
51 2
50 2
46 1
44 2
42 1
41 2
39 2
37 2
36 2

9 Candians, including a 68, 63, 72, 82, 83 and two each 87 and 78. These include the first 8 rolls above for a total of 671 coppers and 22.4%, about what everyone said.

[joemac]

So a few questions about penny hoarding:

1. How often are you buying?

2. Are you dumping at the same bank you are buying from? In the same trip?

3. Is dumping ethical? Meaning, should I be dumping at my personal bank?

4. Who the heck stocks half dollar rolls? Does PNC? BoA?

5. Do most banks make you open an account to buy and sell change? My credit union has 5 branches, I try to hop around.

6. and 7. reserved for questions I know I have but just can't think of right now.

[Merwanseth]

Greetings Joemac. Great post. I can feel your energy...

"Pretty bad when they tell you all they have right now is $30, when you ask for $50."

You may wish to speak with a teller or branch manager. Tell them, without getting too much into "hoarding" descriptions, that you would like to set up a regular order. Ordering weekly is a good way to begin. Don't ask for too much at first. And if they agree, be there when you agree to pick up the order. That way, you wont be disappointed that they only have $30 when you ask for $50.

[tinhorn]

The zinc and copper versions of the cent were both produced in 1982. They can be differentiated by weight (3.11 grams for the 1909-1982 copper cent, 2.5 grams for the 1982-2011 zinc cent).

I've found that weights can vary. I was testing after retweaking the sorter and found a couple 82s that weigh 3.03 grams. That's smack-dab between the weights of coppers and zincs! They were rejected by both the zinc-accept comparitor and the copper-accept one. Gonna hit 'em with a file to see just what they are.

Welcome to the forum!

[joemac]

I had a couple that were really hard to read so I took the liberty of polishing them up with a simple metal polish. I'm sure it ruins any numismatic value, but I'm not saving them for that reason anyway. Also shown is my 64 dime I found today. It's hard to see but the pennies polished up really nicely, has anyone else tried this?

[crazypennyguy]

Welcome to the forum, and to the sometimes crazy world of hand-sorting. I'm luckier than most, because I'm Canadian and Canada didn't give up on copper until 1997. That's why my percentages run around 40%.

Strangely, I've only found one Canadian pre-1937 [George V] penny in twenty-three boxes. Pre-'37 wheaties are relatively easier (less hard) to find - and I'm searching Canuck pennies. It almost seems like George V pennies are as rare to me as Indian heads are to you guys.

[John_doe]

Welcome!

[Rosco]

Welcome to the madness

I made a balance with tongue depressor an a small dowel glued in middle an a 2000
Cent glued to end then you check it with weighing copper 1965 or 70 and then zinc 85 an 90. Copper will drop that end Zinc will bal or stay up if moved toward the center a little. Do not dump at your pick up bank

[mtldealer]

I also just started sorting pennies... in So California. I have always been friendly with one of the local branch managers. I bring by a dozen donuts and pick up 200$ in pennies and 100$ in nickels. Good luck with your sorting.

[joemac]

I sorted $30 in dimes and $70 in halfs this week, no dice. Will be getting another $50 in pennies next week probably.

[grayth]

I just got started myself and still trying to figure out what to keep and what to stash in my hoard lol.

[joemac]

I'm in the same boat. I don't know any of the rare or desirable pennies other than '82 and prior coppers. So, as of right now that's all that I'm keeping until I learn more.

[bman]

Hi all, My name is Joe. I live in Southern MD

Competition!!!

[joemac]

Very minor, although usually most people agree a rising tide lifts all ships-if we are both selling pennies more people will be exposed to the idea of saving them=more profit. Having said that, I'm not planning to do much selling yet. I'm mainly just storing right now and I've only got like $10 in coppers, I'm small time.

[Greatwun]

Welcome to the forums!

[joemac]

Sorted $100 in quarters and $100 in dimes today, no dice. I think I may focus on dimes and pennies only in the future. Also sorted another $30 in pennies. Found 5 Canadians, only 3 with high copper content. Found 10 wheats too. Count to come a little later. I think I have enough to start wrapping by year.

I got some seriously funny looks today at the bank. Might have to figure out something better, like finding one that will let me place a weekly order.

[Blarry]

Welcome to the madness!