My 5 Year Service Award
 

I got my five year service award from my place of employment today. It was a little treasure chest that contained 33 wheat pennies, 5 buffalo nickels, 3 zinc pennies, 5 mercury dimes, a 1909 5 cent piece, 3 nickels made 1944 or 1943. They had other gifts but I found this the most appealing. Should I have chosen something else or was this a good choice. I had no way of knowing what coins would be in it and it didn’t cost me anything.

Re: My 5 Year Service Award
 

I don't know what other choices you had, but HECK, YEAH. It's good. It might even be fantastic depending on the mint mark, date and condition of the coin.

On the nickels from 43 or 44 look on the reverse or back of the coin. If you see a mint mark (P,D,S) over Monticello, Jefferson's home, then you have a silver nickel. :getdown:

If you want to write in the dates and mintmarks of each coin, I and others here can tell you if you have a common date coin or something extraordinary.

Even if you have common coins, still a good haul that will increase in value. The best kind of numismatic coin, is the free kind.:yes:

The Great Ag

Re: My 5 Year Service Award
 

One 1944 nickle have a S over Monticello. They other two are dated 1944 and both have a P over Monticello. The buffalos are dated 1924,1928, 1926, and 1927, The mecury dimes are dated 1942,1940,1943,1940, and 1943. The zinc pennies are dated 1943. Any thoughts?

Re: My 5 Year Service Award
 

Yep, you got 3 "war nickels."

I like those, though I do not collect 'em.

Nickel was scarce due to the war effort so silver was substituted. Some of these numismatics guys could tell you more. Neat gift.

Re: My 5 Year Service Award
 

I'm thinking you mean three steel 1943 pennies, correct? Zinc pennies weren't released until 1982 and if you had 3 1943 copper pennies, you'd be rich (they were very rare)!

Re: My 5 Year Service Award
 

Wooopsy. They are awfull shiny. I assumed they were zinc.

Re: My 5 Year Service Award
 

Here's a place you can start to get an idea of the relative value of your coins.

http://www.pcgs.com/prices/index.chtml#IMPORTANT

If you find one or more of your coins has some significant value then
you might consider having it graded and certified. Good luck!