1940s Pennies Appraisal

Rolls of Uncirculated 1940s Lincoln Wheat Cents

A pair of bank-wrapped rolls of United States Lincoln Wheat Cents, identified by the owner as uncirculated specimens from the 1940s. Each roll is contained in a vintage 'shotgun' style paper wrapper printed with '50c PENNIES' in bold red ink. The wrappers include the mark 'N.F. STRING & SON, INC.,' a well-known manufacturer of currency packaging. Based on the 1940s attribution, these coins are composed of a bronze alloy (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc), except for 1943 issues which would be zinc-coated steel. The rolls appear physically intact with tight crimped edges, suggesting they may be original bank-wrapped (OBW) rolls which have not been searched for errors or high-grade specimens. The paper displays a light aged patina consistent with mid-20th-century storage. While the individual coins are obscured, the 'uncirculated' status implies a lack of wear on the high points of Lincoln's bust and the wheat stalks, likely retaining original mint luster. Common condition issues for copper of this age include carbon spotting or gradual toning, though the tight wrapping provides some protection against environmental oxidation. Such rolls are highly valued by numismatists for the potential of discovering high-grade gems or rare die varieties.