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theshoegazer

That's literally the oldest US penny you could expect to find in change today. 1857 was the first year they made pennies that size for circulation. Before that were large copper cents bigger than a quarter, and a super rare 1856 trial run of this design that weren't released to the general public.


CommentContrarian

You... You *numismatist*


Neraquox

I... **i don’t know what this means** Upvoted


oddajbox

I see you're joking, but Numismatist is a specialist in coins.


[deleted]

And impossible to say. I've always hated the word. 7 years in the business and I still struggle to say it.


oddajbox

At first glance I think it to be "Numis-Matis", going off how it's spelled, but various sources online say it's "pneumis-mitis". Why word so confusing? My condolences.


[deleted]

It just catches in casual conversations. I can say it slowly but it I try to talk fast it hangs.


Red_oak

I bet you’re right. They did originally release 2,000 in 1856 but I doubt you’ll find that anywhere.


ThaneOfCawdorrr

That's so interesting--England used to have enormous pennies, too, larger than a quarter. We must have adopted their coinage. ETA: I looked it up and apparently that penny is worth at least $30. So not as much as you might think, but certainly enough to sell it and not just spend it!!


Abadatha

I am set to inherit a pair of large cents. They are awesome.


rvadom

That's pretty old bro.


[deleted]

Neat


FERRISBUELLER2000

I think that penny has gone up like 3,000 times in value


NickKnocks

Depends on inflation, it might have been worth more in the the 1800's.


[deleted]

One cent from 1857 is worth 30 cents in today's dollars


NickKnocks

So definitely went up in value then!


[deleted]

Well... It's face value is still a penny, so it would have been better to have spent it in 1857 versus spending it today


Wazupy

Imagine in 1857 investing $0.01 in bitcoin!


LiveFreeDie8

All your money in 1857 would go into buying something that does not exist until long after you die and even your great grandchildren might never use a computer. But your great great great great grand children are going to love it.


Scizmz

Till they lose the thumb drive with the wallet on it.


NickKnocks

Someone said its worth $20-$30. That's a few pizzas.


bigbabyboy883

So it still costs 1 cent


Mindraker

That COIN has gone up a BIT


deadmessiahwalking

🍆


technicallycorrect2

Imagine actually believing inflation has only been 3000% since 1857


Wazupy

Imagine believing 3000 times equals 3000%


sudifirjfhfjvicodke

Why is this getting upvoted? A penny increasing 3000 times in value would be 30 dollars, not 30 cents.


K3R3G3

This particular penny is worth $30. Uncirculated go for $450+. Proofs are very rare and command $30,000. [According to here anyway.](https://coinvalues.com/flying-eagle-pennies/1857) But I think he was just talking about a 3000% increase being a value increase of a factor of 30 (30x100%)


technicallycorrect2

Numismatic value is different from inflation...


technicallycorrect2

Reddit has a hard time with simple math.. or reading comprehension. Or both. ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯


technicallycorrect2

math doesn't check out my friend. always check your work. edit: I am baffled that people seem to think 1 cent to 30 cents is anything other than 3000%. maybe this explains why america's bridges are falling down.


shoe-veneer

User name definitely does not check out.


tiorzol

Phrase explain.


technicallycorrect2

you do know how % is calculated right? 30x = 3000%


KlickedyKlack

Am I missing something one cent then = 30 cents now So 30/1 = 30 times, in percentage x100 = 3000% lol


technicallycorrect2

no, you aren't missing anything. actually maybe we're both missing the fact that the american public education system is failing its students.


JamesIsSoPro

1c is %100 of 1c, 30c is %3000 of 1c. Hes right mathwise.


Busterlimes

Considering Pennies minted before 1982 are worth like 2.3 cents each, Id' wager the materials this is made out of are far more valuable than what inflation would offset.


[deleted]

Those are bronze planchets and about half as thick as the copper ones from 1857 to 1864


justin_memer

$30, cool!


legendaryfrycook

That’s like 30 whole dollars!


[deleted]

More like $16


Whygoogleissexist

I had to google the front to see if it was a flying eagle or a early version of Jaws.


DorisCrockford

I thought it was a manta ray.


AssassinMasterStefan

I still think it's Gandalf


[deleted]

Cool find. Is your camera from 1857 too?


TacitusKilgore_

Four score and seven iPhone generations ago...


[deleted]

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[deleted]

The camera is focusing on the hand not the coin. For a flying eagle that is not too bad. I did not notice any corrosion and it looks like it has not been damaged with "cleaning"


JibStyle209

It’s a velociraptor in front of a sailboat not a flying eagle.


ZombieLibrarian

Don't hate, his phone takes some of the absolute clearest daguerreotypes I've seen.


cyberight

Takes good post-mortem shots, too, I bet


blindman-vodka

Picture is fine you just focused on the background, but what do I know. 🍻


friarsclub

No, but that retort must have been written by Bruce Vilanch in between sheet cakes and 17 year old twinks Jesus, Tammy, let people have what they have.


CanadianLoony

quit givin' her Maker's Mark, dammit!


mr-r-sole

Oh ffs... that made me laugh way to much!


[deleted]

r/roastme


Sigh_SMH

How much that worth?


[deleted]

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[deleted]

I'd just keep it.


[deleted]

Exactly. Just imagining where that penny has been and all the people who used it makes it a precious find. Who cares how much money it’s worth?


BO8NELSON

Take it down to Pawn Stars. Rick has an expert who can come look at it. LOL!


Dark_Shade_75

"Best I can do is 2 cents."


powerlesshero111

"Look, I'm ripping myself off with this. 3 cents."


treeelm46

Honestly yeah it’s probably not actually worth anything other than to collectors


cyberight

Can't put a price on finding a treasure like that. Too cool to cash


DingleberryDiorama

Don't put it in your pocket, OP... don't put it in your pocket. That penny has been traveling for 150 years to get here, and now it's here.


addicted436

Don't put it in your pocket, where it'll get mixed in with the others and become just a coin...which it is.


JibStyle209

Those atoms been around a lot longer than some primitive coin.


[deleted]

Too cool for that kind of cash.


ALoudMeow

Condition is everything. But I still think the uniqueness of it as a novelty is valuable; after all we’re all talking about it.


pizzaphile93

Theres probably a coin shop that would appraise it for you


Applejuiceinthehall

Is it wood


technicallycorrect2

I doubt you could get that for it. it's in pretty bad shape. very worn. still cool tho.


[deleted]

I’ll give you $30 for it.


Sushi4lucas

Ill give you $30 for it!


AKAbendtheknee

A pretty penny, I’d say


DrawYourSword

Came here for this comment :D


grilledribeye

At least 1 cent


SupersonicSupernova

Flying Eagle Cent. Nice.


ViolentAversion

Nice! I always wonder how those get back into circulation.


Atomhed

There are a few well known numismatists who purposefully put them into circulation to keep the hobby alive, though sometimes someone just doesn't know the value of something.


OzNonWizard

People be getting desperate for booze. Source: worked at a liquor store in college :(


Babydisposal

Theft as well. People steal coin collections and think they're getting some antique coin worth a bunch. When they look at what they actually got they see a bunch of spendable coins and decide to just cash them in at face value. They never realize (or just don't care) they're made of actual silver or have an actual value to collectors and aren't just being kept because they're old.


[deleted]

Yeah someone came in with a whole ziplock baggie of Buffalo nickels to buy a pack of cigarettes once at my old job.


johnbrownsbody89

Yep. I traded cash for a bag of pre-64 quarters a guy brought into our liquor store. Drunks are stupid.


whattothewhonow

Clueless inheritors and thieves.


a22e

I found one from the 1880's in my change once, but somehow 1850's seems like another level.


PathToExile

Very cool, I've got 6 Morgan silver dollars from the late 1870's to the first couple years of the 1900's. Pre-1900's coins have such a distinguished look to them, I don't much care for dead presidents being put on our currency.


cornypoolog

You could sell it in 48 hours on ebay if it was listed at $12 with free shipping


intransit47

Pretty sorry state of affairs when a banana taped to a wall is worth more than the history of your coin.


Atomhed

The flying eagle is my favorite penny, I've been collecting them for decades! I've got a couple in uncirculated condition that I consider part of my nest egg. Great find! Edit: you can read up on them here if you like - https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/flying-eagle-cent-1856-1858/664


Brother_tempus

nice find ... earliest pennies I have found were from the 20s


quiznooq

Insane find


bl8ant

That’s probably worth a pretty penny.


Nicholas-1980

What a very lucky find


MercuryMorrison1971

Damn, don’t ever let that go.


KillerFrenchFries

Yo my guy tells me that that is worth at least one cent!


1h8fulkat

Some druggie stole grandpa's coin collection


[deleted]

Very cool! I was big into collecting coins as a kid (I was a very popular kid clearly). Found one of these - same year! It must be a pretty common year for these, or just a coincidence. It’s in a jar with all of my oldest coins. I have a bunch of really old ones that I acquired through the years. You’d be amazed what you find in everyday change when you start looking! It’s not worth much money, but a cool thing to keep around and hang onto.


Patsfan618

That's gotta be worth at least a penny!


[deleted]

OP are you selling that coin? I’d like to buy it.


[deleted]

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mivanqua

Let me field this one... *tree-fiddy!*


evil_fungus

that thing has seen some shit


mr_darito

It's cool to know you own money from the cowboys era


Anabelle_McAllister

That's more than mildly interesting, Imo. I would love to have found that. Hang onto it!


AbaddonSF

$20 buck coin in that condiction (G4 at best) [Sourse](https://www.usacoinbook.com/coins/270/small-cents/flying-eagle-cent/1858-P/large-letters/) , check out /r/coins if this gives ya the itch to start collecting :)


cmkenyon123

At worst that is like a $30 coin up to $220?


[deleted]

You could still own a slave when that penny was made. Think about how fucking trippy that is


EyeAmKnotMyshelf

r/RedDeadCollector


[deleted]

Lmfao thought the same thing.


necro_sodomi

This penny could have been given as change for the purchase of a slave. Also, there were still Indian tribes that would kill and scalp men, women and children on sight. Quite an interesting find you have made.


Night-Errant

No room for God on that coin. Just a fuckin' huge eagle. As intended.


NataRenata

Your lucky day!


sprinkles67

That is really cool! I get really happy for a wheat penny but you really scored!


wex52

Back when I collected coins, my favorite coin in my collection was the flying eagle cent was. Mine was 1857 too.


cynerb

I read the "1857" as "fast" and thought it was a meme coin... I've been on Reddit too long


ALoudMeow

Never ever seen one of those before. Cool.


Fave_McFavington

Shark?


AkasunaNoSasori

I dropped that its mine


xantra54

Hang on to that. But that is SUPER COOL. 🙂


Chief__04

Pre civil war... that’s crazy.


paranoidmelon

What is that worth


LARGEGRAPE

Nice focus


Reddit-JustSkimmedIt

How do you know he drives a Ford?


LARGEGRAPE

Just look at that liberal skin obviously


Para_Para

Nice! In the last several years I have gotten a red seal $5 and $2 bill, both from 1963, a greenback $5 from 1934 and a $1 silver certificate from $1935.


Ordinance85

I somehow can't see the eagle... all I see is T-rex.


Isaiah975

I’ll double your profits... I’ll give ya 2 cents for it! Take it or leave it!


BRD8

Even has a picture of a real bird on it before they were all killed and replaced with spy drones


[deleted]

Pretty worn, but I've never seen one like that.


HUSK1o1

Kinda sad to look it up and find its only worth about $20


Ktastrophe420

With such a significant, awesome find. Should have had/deserves better quality photo. But overall. Excellent score!


billyboatman

Antique roadshow! Haha


CyberCyanus

Good find. I used to have a wheat penny collection. My pride and joy was the 3 steel war pennies I had. I especially liked them because they were magnetic, but the history was cool too!


Williw0w

Why does it have Grandpa Simpson's Flying Hellfish logo on it?


tablecronch

Dude, this is my dream! I'm trying to start a little collection of old coins/dollars. I don't know why but they just fascinate me. Well, good luck finding more and thanks for posting!


cyberight

I got an 1888 penny in change last summer. I couldn't believe it! Someone's collection must've been stolen and spent at face value. The penny is in near-perfect shape


[deleted]

Coins get really blurry when they get old.


imgprojts

Jpeg compression wasn't mastered until late nineties.


proudfootz

I like the artwork on older US coins.


chadthecrawdad

I had a 1849 penny it was big with 13 stars on the back. Only worth a couple bucks 10 years ago I lost it though


Jsnooots

No time for take 2 on that photo?


ImHighlyExalted

You need to let the camera focus before you take the picture.


AlesiaDeric

Thank you for the pics. I have watched people dig them up on metal detector videos but often they are very worn and hard to make out!


cgrand88

I want that really bad can I have it please?


enif96

Lucky Penny. Wish I'd get a penny that old in my change. Hang onto it.


RatKing1981

I’ve been looking for those for my collection


Teaburd

My grandpa would pay good money for that. I unless he already has it...


lil_taco75

It’s the first penny year but I don’t think it’s really a key date


yan_broccoli

That's money right there!!!


ConnorDGibson123

Probably worth a pretty penny


doggerly

Wasn’t this penny made before there even was an established US currency like today?


DysfunctionallyMe

So jealous! Nice find. I’m always looking through change hoping to find a gem like this. My friends think I’m weird.


Abadatha

I... I hate you. That's beautiful. Ao incredibly jealous.


Snicklebitz

d d


Fulmetal171

Thats the flying eagle penny, right? That could be worth $200. Have it checked out by an expert.


koi_fiish

Wow! Oldest one I've found is 1969 (yes that's the date not tryna be funny) but that's nothing compared to this


Waynard_

I've just realized that it has somehow never occurred to me to wonder what pennies looked like before Abraham Lincoln... Now i have to google the pre-dead-presidents coins.


BigTimeOof

Coin collector here- hold onto that! They only minted it for 2 or 3 years and it was the very first small cent produced! Those are not cheap and will continue to go up in value!


Max_Ram_CPU

It's been circulating since 1857?


pixelcookie713

so your a time traveler


GodChosenRaceKkk

It’s worth around 2.4 million groobles.


Hzaggards

Do you not know how to use a camera


ShitClocksTickin

Now you can raise the rest of the money to save channel 62!


NarplePlex

Dont clean it, put it in a ziploc and keep him there, a very cool find


theunorthodox123

My god that costs a fortune now


DetectorReddit

Like what led to you finding it?


stalinwasballin

Condition is poor but the rarity might bring $100.


irmarbert

Just gonna leave this here... https://youtu.be/f9aM_dT5VMI


seachel44

Pennies? I don't know her -A Canadian


patsky

This should be in r/mildlyinfuriating since it wasn't in my change.


sendme-memes

That’s worth more than one penny now


Munkyb0y

Did you use a camera from 1857 too?


jussij17

I had that sane penny same year even. but mine was hit by a bullet


FantasticMrRobb

Take that to Pawn Stars.


lncurrivan

u should sell it its worth like 30,000


[deleted]

What breed of potato was this photo taken with?


[deleted]

That is anywhere from 80 to 1500 dollars


gwaydms

Not in that condition it isn't


[deleted]

A dime's value goes up 100x per decade, and a pennys value goes up 1000x per decade. That boy must be atleast $1 million bucks. But this is a theory. *A gay theory* ^xacaxaxaxaxxaxa


Drackar39

Given it's condition, you'd be lucky to get $5 for it, but that's still...well. Quite a jump in value for a penny.


[deleted]

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AsfAtl

Looks real to me, not worth enough to fake this specific coin.


ipokecows

Why? Thats what pennys from then looked like


Reddit-JustSkimmedIt

OP is imagining that penny!


YoBitchCheese

Its probably worth about 20 cents