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save your pocket change

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  1. #1
    ParkerFlyer4 started this thread.
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    save your pocket change

    It is illegal to melt U.S currency. but some people like to hoard their change that holds more value from the metal its made with. Pennies, for example, have the potential to become obsolete in the near future, and could possibly be melted or sold for copper. Anyway, I've made a list of the specific years that money holds more value in metal than face value. calculated when copper was at $3.85 lb and silver was $32.64 oz.

    Penny ---- 1982 or older - 95% copper, 5% zinc//// $0.01 face, $0.025 melt

    Nickel --- 1942 -1945 -35% silver, 56% copper, 9% Mang//// $0.05 face, $1.86 melt

    Dime ----- 1946 -1964 - 90% silver, 10% copper//// $0.10 face, $2.36 melt

    Quarter --- 1932 -1964 - 90% silver, 10% copper//// $0.25 face, $5.90 melt



    Half Dollar
    Franklin - 1948 -1963 - 90% silver, 10% copper//// $0.50 face, $11.81 melt
    Kennedy - 1964 - 90% silver, 10% copper//// $0.50 face, $11.81 melt
    Kennedy - 1965 - 1970 - 40% silver, 60% copper//// $0.50 face, $10.45 melt

    Silver dollar
    Eisenhower - 1971 -1976 - 40% silver, 60% copper//// $1.00 face, $10.45 melt
    Last edited by ParkerFlyer4; 03-19-2012 at 07:46 PM. Reason: edit half dollar and added silver dollar

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    Nice information. I currently have a small hoard of 82 or older pennies. At least weigh in i had a bit over 300 pounds.

    It's a fun hobby, that's for sure. Plus you get a lot of REALLY old coins. I'm a fan of the wheaties. Plus i like the look on the bank ladies face when i go in with $25 and ask for a box of pennies.

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    Which reminds me, i need to do that tomorrow. Thanks! Haha.

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    Hoss do you get pennies for copper or to collect them

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    Little bit of both, skip. Mainly for the copper. But i've always been a coin collector. If i run into something cool i throw it in another bucket. It's a fun hobby.

    Plus, if the chit ever hits the fan, you have something to trade thats worth actual melt value.

    Yeah, i'm one of those "doomsday nuts".

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    My grandfather tried to get me into coins but it didnt stick and some is brewing in this world and its bound to blow.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ParkerFlyer4 View Post
    It is illegal to melt U.S currency. but some people like to hoard their change that holds more value from the metal its made with. Pennies, for example, have the potential to become obsolete in the near future, and could possibly be melted or sold for copper. Anyway, I've made a list of the specific years that money holds more value in metal than face value. calculated when copper was at $3.85 lb and silver was $32.64 oz.

    Penny ---- 1982 or older - 95% copper, 5% zinc//// $0.01 face, $0.025 melt

    Nickel --- 1942 -1945 -35% silver, 56% copper, 9% Mang//// $0.05 face, $1.86 melt

    Dime ----- 1946 -1964 - 90% silver, 10% copper//// $0.10 face, $2.36 melt

    Quarter --- 1932 -1964 - 90% silver, 10% copper//// $0.25 face, $5.90 melt

    Half Dollar - 1948 -1964 - 90% silver, 10% copper//// $0.50 face, $11.81 melt
    - 1965 -1974 - 40% silver, 60% copper//// $0.50 face, $10.45 melt

    That's cool info PF4! it only covers 3 years of nickels, a few more years of dimes, and no silver dollars. I'd sure like to see it on a bit more expanded scale

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    ParkerFlyer4 started this thread.
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    I only covered the years that the metal amount exceeds the face value of the coin. All other years are best used as face value. except, of course, older rare coins.

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    http://www.wikihow.com/Hoard-Copper-Pennies

    Here's a good informational page on hoarding pennies. Pretty helpful.

    Mods, if i'm not allowed to put this up here please delete my post and let me know. Still a bit unsure as too the website linking thing. Thanks

  14. #10
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    You can keep track here; And it has the expanded tables for more coins and other things,,,
    http://www.coinflation.com/
    Last edited by Mechanic688; 03-19-2012 at 01:50 AM.
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    Thanks! Parker Thanks too! Mechanic, that's a cool site Several months ago at Mom's she said she'd like to know about her coins (where she goes for senior lunch and socializing, they'd been talking about them) and I started searching for their current values. This info woulda been lotsa help, wished I had known it then, would've been the first place I'd looked ; )

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    I think current nickels melt exceeds face.

    Quote Originally Posted by ParkerFlyer4 View Post
    I only covered the years that the metal amount exceeds the face value of the coin. All other years are best used as face value. except, of course, older rare coins.

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    The halves stopped being 40% silver in 1970.
    "64K should be enough for anybody." - Bill Gates 1981
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    Another good site here... http://currencydebasement.com/

    Gives info for US and other world coins on melt value for gold, silver, copper and nickel coins as well as exchange rate for current coins
    Last edited by hobo finds; 03-19-2012 at 02:05 PM.

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    There are also pennies that are more rare to find... I know that they stopped using copper after 82 but they say that there are a couple of 83's that were actually stamped onto a copper slug (or whatever you call the metal before it's a coin). The way that you can tell them apart is by the weight- the copper pennies weigh 3.11 grams and the ones that were made with the zinc weigh 2.5 grams. I'm a weirdo, I like coins. I collect the ones that i think are cool more so then what i am supposed to though. I have one of those state quarter collections that my Grandma started for me and i'm like 5 or 6 away from having all of them in both mints!

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  23. #16
    ParkerFlyer4 started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by parrothead View Post
    The halves stopped being 40% silver in 1970.
    your right with the Kennedy half dollars. They made Eisenhower silver dollars from 1971 - 1976 with 40% silver 60% copper
    ill edit it.
    Last edited by ParkerFlyer4; 03-19-2012 at 07:40 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ParkerFlyer4 View Post
    your right with the Kennedy half dollars. They made Eisenhower silver dollars from 1971 - 1976 with 40% silver 60% copper
    ill edit it.
    The Eisenhower silver dollars were not really in circulation, doesn't mean that they could not be, but finding a silver one in circulation would be a rarity.

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    http://www.realcent.org/

    Good information here as well including buyers of pre-1982 pennies.

    They even have a small section on scrapping.

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    I use the coinflation website also. Is a quick and easy reference. My daughters and I do coin roll searching many times during the winter. You think the lady gives you a look at 1 box. Try when you ask for 6 or 8 boxes of pennies at a time. I had to place orders with the bank as if I was a merchant. People use to hate getting behind me at the coinstar. $150 - $200 in pennies is heavy and takes a ton of time to count.

    It does pay off - oldest daughter found a indian head penny in good shape. Not counting the wheat / canadian pennies we find.

  28. #20
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    In 2010, Hedge fund manager Kyle Bass bought $1 million worth of nickels. They're stored in a bank vault in Dallas. Kyle predicted the US housing collapse and made a fortune during the 2008 financial crisis.

    Kyle is a pretty interesting character.
    If you've got an hour or so to spare, his thoughts are worth it.


    The US Mint is currently conducting a review of coin metal composition. The review is due to be completed by the end of 2012. I've heard speculation that:
    1) Pennies and/or nickels will be phased out
    2) The metal composition of pennies and or nickels will be switched to steel.

    Members of the Ohio Congressional delegation have proposed legislation favoring the switch to steel.
    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nati...re-cents-.html
    Last edited by ElectricMetal; 03-20-2012 at 07:36 PM.


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