I found a penny (?) in my cash drawer last night that I want to identify. The front (I assume) has a large number "2" in the center, a couple of ?wheat sheaves? around the top and the word "PFENNIG" across the bottom. The obverse has some kind of plant in the middle (?pot leaf?) and the words "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND" around the edges. My guess was either German or Dutch, but I'm probably waaay off. Not a huge, major, enormous, big deal. I'm just curious.
It's a German coin, I still have a modest coin collection from my youth and have a few of those. Not worth much really. I think the pfennig is roughly like a US penny.
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03:15 PM
Cliff Pennock Administrator
Posts: 11569 From: Zandvoort, The Netherlands Registered: Jan 99
Thanx. That was sort of what I figured, too. I wasn't planning on collecting it hoping it would be worth lots of money. I just thought it was a cool coin since I didn't have one like it. One of the advantages to working in a convenience store. I get to go through the change and see if anything interesting needs to be bought. I have all of the current/past "new" quarters (incl. SC), a bunch of 1999 Susie B.s, Bicentennial quarters, halfs, and some nice silver dollars. Bunches of cool pennies, too. Some steel, tons of wheat, etc. I think my oldest penny is from 190x.
MM, you find me a 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny and I'll pay you at least $100 even if it's really worn. With all coins, the value increases as the coins get nicer. Watch out for the 42-45 nickels, known as war nickels because they have 40% silver and are worth more than average.
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09:05 PM
Monkeyman Member
Posts: 15809 From: N. Wilkesboro, NC, USA Registered: Nov 1999
BB--I'll dig through my coins tomorrow. I didn't know any pennies would be worth more than just a few cents. I just dropped a 1944 in the bucket today. What's that worth? It looks the same as the rest of them. Just found a 1919, too. It's interesting to see some coins that almost pre-date my grandmother. What's special about a 1909? Would an earlier one be worth as much? I'm sure I have a 190x somewhere, but I don't know if it's 1909.
------------------ Dave- Grape Ape ('85GT)
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11:11 PM
Monkeyman Member
Posts: 15809 From: N. Wilkesboro, NC, USA Registered: Nov 1999
Monkey, 1909 was the first year for the Lincoln cent. Older pennies are Indian Heads. There are 3 current US mints (where they make the coins): San Francisco "S" mintmark, Denver "D" mintmark, and Philadelphia "P" mintmark or no mintmark. Most wheat-back pennies aren't worth a lot, but the real old pennies (teens and 20's) are worth a little more if they have the S mint (look just below the date for the mintmark), because not very many pennies were made at San Francisco during that time period. There are two 1909-S pennies to make it confusing. A more common one (but still worth a few bucks) and a rare VDB version. These had the designers initials, Victor D. Brenner, located on the reverse (back) side right at the bottom. BTW, there is also a 1909 with no mintmark...with and without the VDB (but these are relately common).
During WW2 didnt they use steel to make pennies? Or was it iron? I can't remember. I remember my dad had a bunch of those indian nickels or pennies or something and I spent them at the local chinese store when I was like 10.
I have a penny here, its a 1955 but the date and the words across the top are a little smugged, just my luck to have a bad one?? Guess Ill drop it in the gum ball machine and keep looking for that 1909 S.
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03:10 AM
Jul 16th, 2000
Patrick's Dad Member
Posts: 5154 From: Weymouth MA USA Registered: Feb 2000
Patrick's Dad Guess you are right, checked all my coin books and the 44 double die is so rare it isn't even listed??? Iam thinking, you were thinking the 55 Double Die?? (want to see one?)
I have a "poor man's" 1955 double die cent. You need a magnifying glass to see the faint second outline and it has got some wear, so it's not worth a lot, but I got one.