What can you do with old pennies? (2024)

What can you do with old pennies?

What can pennies be used for?

Why does vinegar and salt clean pennies?

The combination of vinegar (a weak solution of acetic acid), and table salt (sodium chloride) helps to dissolve the copper oxide, and also forms the blue copper(II) ion, which is soluble in water. The penny becomes shiny again!

Can I recycle pennies?

Many times scrap yards are asked by people if they take pennies or other coins for scrap. While occasionally scrap yards “accept” coins as scrap, it is completely illegal in the US and both parties can be arrested for it.

What year pennies are worth keeping?

Watch for low mintage years like 1955-S, 1939-D, 1933-D, and 1931-S. Depending on condition, rarer pennies are worth more. Look for all-copper pennies. Old pennies made before 1982 are 95% copper, which gives them an inherent metal value.

Can you get anything for a penny?

Those who favor getting rid of the penny believe the coin is a waste of time and money because you can no longer buy anything for a penny. Those who favor keeping the penny believe the penny plays an important role in keeping down the costs of the goods and services we buy.

Will banks take pennies?

Banks will still accept pennies. However, most banks will require that they be rolled. Don't want to roll? Coinstar has kiosks around the city where you can dump your coins and convert them into cash for an 11.9% fee.

What can you do with copper pennies?

So, your best option is to keep those copper pennies until they get rid of the penny, and sell them then. It will be a nice way to make so money! It might seem not worth it now, but in 2026 you will smile upon the day you started to save copper pennies! Thank you for reading, and good luck coin roll hunting!

Where can I sell my pennies for money?

How do I know if my penny is worth money?

Although many factors determine the exact value of a coin, you can quickly determine the value of your penny by knowing its type, date, mintmark, and grade. Additionally, the value of a particular coin can vary between markets and coin dealers.

Why does ketchup clean pennies the best?

Ketchup is a weak acid (from the vinegar), and this acid breaks down the copper oxide. The salt in the ketchup adds dissolved chloride ions that bond with the copper to form copper chloride, which allows the acid to break up even more copper oxide.

Why does co*ke clean a penny?

The soda cleans the pennies because it contains phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid breaks down the copper oxygen compound and causes a new layer of the copper to be exposed.

Does Coca Cola clean coins?

Who would have thought that your favorite soda is also a great cleaning agent? Yes, that refreshing can of co*ke that you like to drink by the pool can also clean coins. co*ke's phosphoric acid can clean the oxides that cause tarnish and corrosion.

Is melting a penny illegal?

Many online debates have popped up over the legality of melting down U.S. coins. It is not illegal to melt, destroy, or modify any U.S. coins in the United States.

How do I sell my copper pennies?

The Best Way To Sell Your Copper Pennies & Other Coins As Well

Can you melt old pennies for copper?

But in the weird world of penny hoarding, getting to the copper is a very big problem. It's illegal to melt pennies an there is an obscure federal law that makes it illegal to transport more than $5 in pennies out of the country. Penny hoarders know this of course, but they also know something else.

Why is 1944 wheat penny rare?

The 1944 Lincoln penny is particularly desirable in the eyes of collectors not only because of its design, but also due to its scarcity. Being that there are no more 1944 Lincolns being produced, the scarcity of these coins is constantly on the rise, thus making the coins more valuable.

Why is the 1941 penny worth so much?

The most valuable variety of the 1941 wheat penny by far is one in which the obverse face has been struck twice, an error known as a doubled die. Depending on the color (red being worth the most), lower grades of this coin can be worth over $80, and this increases dramatically in higher grades.

How much is a 1943 steel penny worth?

Value of a 1943 Steel Penny

They are worth about 10 to 13 cents each in circulated condition and as much as 50 cents or more if uncirculated.

What penny is worth $1000000?

In September 2012, Legend Numismatics of Lincroft, New Jersey has announced that collector Bob R. Simpson, co-chairman of the Texas Rangers baseball club, paid $1 million for the finest known 1943-S Lincoln Wheat cent on a bronze planchet.

What does it mean when a penny turns black?

When oxygen binds with copper, they form a new molecule known as copper oxide. Copper oxide is brownish or sometimes black in color (depending on other things in the penny's environment). This is why most pennies you see look dirty or tarnished—it's not actually dirt but copper oxide that makes them look so dull.

Is a 1946 penny rare?

1946 San Francisco Mint Wheat Penny Value

More than 198,000,000 wheat pennies were produced in San Francisco in 1946, making them the most rare mint of the year.

How do you exchange pennies?

Take your coins to a community bank or credit union

Many big banks have phased out their coin-counting services in recent years, but the regional banks or credit unions that do offer coin exchange likely do so at no cost to customers. There may be a small fee for noncustomers to use the bank's coin-counting services.

How many pennies will a bank accept?

Do Coinstar machines take pennies?

Coinstar cannot accept Eisenhower silver dollars, 1943 steel pennies, pure silver, commemorative or foreign coinage. They may not be recognized by our kiosk or returned to you. Items such as keys, jewelry and other valuables should also not go into the kiosk.

What happens when you soak a penny in vinegar?

The vinegar made its penny shiny. Pennies become dull over time as copper on the surface reacts with oxygen from the air. The two elements combine to form dark chemicals called copper oxides. The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves these chemicals and leaves the copper surface of the penny looking shiny.

Where can I sell pre-1982 pennies?

1. Sell them on Craigslist or Ebay. Many people are hoarding these old pennies in bulk.

Is it worth saving pre-1982 pennies?

A pre-1982 penny has about 2 cents worth of copper in it. Some people hoard them, betting that the U.S. will kill the penny and then it will be legal to melt them down and they can make a killing.

How many pennies are in $100?

10,000 pennies are in $100. Every dollar is 100 pennies, and 100 x 100 = 10,000. 10,000 pennies take up 213 cubic inches and weigh 55.1 pounds.

What are the 25 most valuable pennies?

25 Most Valuable Pennies (Updated for 2022) - YouTube

Is there a free app to scan coins for value?

Coin collectors finally have the resource needed to make informed numismatic buying, selling and trading decisions, thanks to the PCGS CoinFacts mobile app. The world's largest encyclopedia of U.S. coins now fits in your pocket and is 100% free to use.

Are older pennies worth anything?

For most pennies, those minted in recent years are worth, well, a penny. Most wheat cents (wheat pennies were minted between 1909 and 1956) are worth about 4 to 5 cents. Those in better condition can have double-digit value. Special examples (especially those in near perfect condition) can be worth much more.

Are any pennies from the 1960s worth anything?

Most 1960 pennies in circulated condition are only worth their weight in copper. The current copper melt value for each penny is about $0.02. These coins can only sell for a premium in uncirculated condition.

How much is a 1943 copper penny worth?

Back in 1981, an example of the 1943 bronze cent made national news when it sold for $10,000. Some 15 years later, another example sold for $82,500 at a 1996 auction. Today, 1943 bronze cents typically fetch between $100,000 and $250,000.

How much is the 1944 copper penny worth?

How Much Is My 1944 Penny Worth? If it's a normal 1944, 1944-D, or 1944-S cent, it isn't worth much. They are some of the most common of common-date Wheat cents. Prices range from around 20 cents in circulated condition, to 35 cents in uncirculated.

What 1980's pennies are worth money?

The current copper melt value for each penny is about $0.02. These coins can only sell for a premium in uncirculated condition. The 1980 penny with no mint mark and the 1980 D penny are each worth around $1 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. The 1980 S proof penny is worth around $2.50 in PR 65 condition.

How much is a 1999 penny worth?

Most 1999 pennies in circulated condition are only worth their face value of $0.01. These coins can only sell for a premium in uncirculated condition. The 1999 penny with no mint mark and the 1999 D penny are each worth around $0.30 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade.

Which liquid cleans pennies the best?

The salt and acetic acid in vinegar do the trick. Hot sauce, like Tabasco or taco sauce, also will remove the oxides off pennies. As in ketchup, salt and vinegar are both in hot sauce. co*ke and off-brand colas will quickly remove the tarnish.

Why do pennies turn green?

When copper is exposed to oxygen, it forms molecules called copper oxide that make pennies look dirty. Pouring vinegar over the pennies helps break up this copper oxide and expose the pure copper on the penny. As the penny dries and is exposed to the air, a chemical reaction occurs and the penny turns green!

How do you clean a large amount of pennies?

Clean pennies with Vinegar and Salt - YouTube

What liquid makes a penny shiny?

Copper oxide dissolves in a mixture of weak acid and table salt-and vinegar is an acid. You could also clean your pennies with salt and lemon juice or orange juice, because those juices are acids, too.

What dissolves a penny?

Hydrochloric acid (HCl), known in the hardware store as muriatic acid, is sold for cleaning concrete. But it will also dissolve the zinc core of a penny, leaving a foil of copper roughly a thousandth of an inch thick bearing the original image of the coin.

What is the best way to clean old coins?

If you want to go ahead and clean corrosion off of your old coins, baking soda likely is the safest route to follow. Wet the affected coin with clean tap or distilled water, roll in baking soda, then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush.

How do professionals clean coins?

Ultrasonic Cleaners

These coins are cleaned by using distilled water with a small amount of detergent in a special vibrating container. Acid based cleaners will eat away at a coin's surface diminishing its value.

Does cleaning old coins hurt their value?

It is best not to clean rare coins as removing the patina can significantly reduce the value of them. For this reason, most coin hobbyists almost never clean their coins. In fact, 99% of coins do not increase in value after you clean them, but many will be greatly devalued.

Why does cleaning coins devalue them?

This is because anything that touches a coin has the potential to damage it at the microscopic level. The more abrasive a cleaner is used to clean the coin, the more likely it is to remove the upper surface of the coin - damage that can never be undone.

Are old pennies worth anything?

For most pennies, those minted in recent years are worth, well, a penny. Most wheat cents (wheat pennies were minted between 1909 and 1956) are worth about 4 to 5 cents. Those in better condition can have double-digit value. Special examples (especially those in near perfect condition) can be worth much more.

Do banks still take pennies?

However, the penny retains its value. Although the penny has been phased out, it still remains legal tender. Banks will still accept pennies. However, most banks will require that they be rolled.

Are pennies worth more as scrap?

Each 1¢ penny is worth approximately 2.3860¢ in scrap metal.

2021.

Will banks take old coins?

Your bank may swap or deposit old paper notes and coins.

Of the major banks that came back to us, Barclays, Nationwide and Santander all said you can deposit old notes and coins into your account.

Where can I sell my pennies for money?

What are the top 20 rarest pennies?

Can I melt down pennies and sell the copper?

It is not illegal to melt, destroy, or modify any U.S. coins in the United States.

What can you do with copper pennies?

So, your best option is to keep those copper pennies until they get rid of the penny, and sell them then. It will be a nice way to make so money! It might seem not worth it now, but in 2026 you will smile upon the day you started to save copper pennies! Thank you for reading, and good luck coin roll hunting!

How do you exchange pennies?

Take your coins to a community bank or credit union

Many big banks have phased out their coin-counting services in recent years, but the regional banks or credit unions that do offer coin exchange likely do so at no cost to customers. There may be a small fee for noncustomers to use the bank's coin-counting services.

How much is a pound of pennies worth?

Fortunately, the U.S. Mint standardizes and publishes the weight of each coin here. With that in hand… drumroll please… we'd expect about 34.9 quarters, 19.8 dimes, 11.5 nickels, and 61.2 pennies in a New York pound of coins, for a total value of $12.00.

How much is a copper penny worth 2022?

$0.0251389 is the melt value for the 1909-1982 copper cent on August 26, 2022.

Where can I sell pre 1982 pennies?

1. Sell them on Craigslist or Ebay. Many people are hoarding these old pennies in bulk.

Which pound coins are rare?

According to the blog ChangeChecker, the rarest one pound coin currently in circulation is the Edinburgh £1. The coin was part of a series depicting the four capital cities of the UK and is the only £1 coin with a mintage below one million.

Where can I change old $100 dollar bills?

There are several ways to exchange old bills, depending on their condition. Generally, consumers can either submit a request to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing or contact a local commercial bank.

Are old 1 pound coins worth anything?

Since the 'round pound' was first minted in 1983, there have been a total of 24 different designs in circulation. Of these, the 'Royal Arms' is the most common, with over 600 million produced. If you've one of these, it's unlikely to be worth more than its face value.