If it has not been handled, it will be bright and undamaged. Since they are struck on polished blanks several times with controlled pressure (coins for circulation are struck more in the manner of hitting it with a hammer) they should have reflective fields (empty space around the design) and well-defined details. Some years can be identified simply by an "S" mintmark because no circulation coins were struck in San Francisco.
About $2.00 for average proof coins
0.01
If its from the 170000 ! Iguess.
There's a picture at the Related Link.
A "D" means that the penny was minted in Denver An "S" means that the penny was minted in San Francisco (note - only proof cents are now minted there) A penny without a mint mark was minted in Philadelphia
Look harder. In 1973, Britain minted - * Two New Penny (Proof FDC) * One New Penny (Proof FDC) * One New Penny for general circulation * Half New Penny (Proof FDC) * Half New Penny for general circulation
Proof pennies are only made at San Francisco. It's not a proof. It is just a penny worth a penny.
An Australian 1956 Penny looks almost exactly the same as any other Australian Penny minted from 1955 to 1964 inclusive. A 1956 Penny minted in Perth will have a mintmark (.) after the "Y" in PENNY (Y.). The Melbourne Penny has no mintmark. See the 1964 penny at the link below.
It looks exactly the same as the 2010 or 2012 penny.
About $2.00 for average proof coins
The US coin looks very much like a modern US penny
It is silver
0.01
To determine if your 1969-S penny is a proof, you can check for characteristics like sharpness of details, mirror-like surfaces, and squared rims. Proofs are coins struck with special polished dies and blanks that result in a sharp relief and reflective appearance. If your coin displays these features, it's likely a proof.
It will have a S mintmark.
2009 pennies were made in mass productions. Currently a 2009 penny is only worth a penny unless it is a proof. If it is a proof it will have the mintmark "S" below the date.
If you refer to general circulation Australian Pennies rather than Proof coins, the order runs something like this - 1. 1930 Penny is the rarest 2. 1920 Penny with no dots on the reverse 3. 1925 Penny 4. 1946 Penny