Purchasing two cents in mint condition should be your goal, since the state of a coin is really important to its worth as a collectible. A damaged coin is much less attractive to a buyer than one which is without blemishes, which can command a substantial premium. It is also important to realize that value is not determined by age alone. A variety of factors, aside from the obvious age and rarity, go into determining the worth of a coin to coin collectors. Market value is as much a determination of demand as any other factor.