Often, only parts of the last two digits will be visible. There may be holes, it might be bent, or it might just have a LOT of honest wear. You may or may not see the date depending on the type and the nature of the wear. That is because you can buy them very cheaply to fill the holes in your collection. Otherwise, you might never be able to afford the coin.
Many people collect fair condition coins, especially the rarer dates and types.
Dateless buffalo nickels, for example, are still worth about a dime. Basil state coins have extraordinarily low value. A basil state large cent, for example, might sell for a nickel. Exceptions Occasionally, you will find a poorly struck coin that looks like it has wear, but is really uncirculated. To see a good example of this, look at the bottom of the shoulder of a new Lincoln cent.