Many people are aware of how collectibles like vintage toys, Beanie Babies, or DVDs can be sold for high prices, but your hidden treasure might be in your coin jar instead of the attic!
Some coins, though common in appearance, hold much higher value than their face value due to their rarity or minting errors.
Coin collectors, however, are very picky about condition, and the best value comes from uncirculated coins—those that have never been used. If you find one, it needs to be in near-perfect condition to earn top dollar.
Let’s take a look at some coins you should keep an eye out for:
1. 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny
During World War II, copper was needed for the war, so in 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to making pennies from steel.
However, a few copper pennies were mistakenly produced and have become highly valuable. If you come across a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth up to $336,000! But watch out for fakes—an easy test is to see if a magnet sticks. If it does, it’s steel; if not, you could have the real deal.
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2. 1955 Doubled Die Penny
The 1955 doubled die penny looks like a printing mistake, where the design appears doubled due to a misalignment during minting. Around 20,000-24,000 of these pennies were released, mostly through cigarette vending machines. If you find one in excellent condition, it could be worth up to $2700.
3. 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter With Extra Leaf
In 2004, a small batch of Wisconsin state quarters was released with an extra leaf on the corn design. Some believe this was a deliberate act by a mint worker. These coins can sell for as much as $300, depending on their condition. Many have been found in the Tucson, Arizona area, so check your change!
4. 2009 Kew Gardens 50p Coin
In the UK, a rare 50p coin was issued in 2009 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Only 210,000 of these coins were minted, and they now sell for around $313 on eBay.
5. 2005 “In God We Rust” Kansas State Quarter
A grease buildup during the minting process caused a funny error on some Kansas quarters from 2005, where “Trust” in the phrase “In God We Trust” is missing the “T,” making it read “In God We Rust.” These coins can be worth up to $100, though they aren’t extremely rare.
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6. 2000 Australian $1/10 Mule
An error at the Royal Australian Mint led to $1 coins being stamped with the wrong side, creating a “mule” coin that features a design meant for 10-cent pieces. These can be worth a few hundred dollars.
7. 2008 Undated 20p Coin
Another UK coin to watch for is the 2008 20p piece. Due to a minting error, some coins were released without a date. While not extremely rare, these coins can fetch around $100—not bad for a 20p investment!
8. 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime
Coins usually have a small letter indicating where they were minted. In 1982, the Philadelphia Mint forgot to put its “P” mark on some Roosevelt dimes. These coins are worth around $50 if in good condition, despite thousands being distributed in the Sandusky, Ohio area.
9. 1997 Double-Ear Lincoln Penny
The 1997 Lincoln penny can appear strange, as it shows Lincoln with what looks like double earlobes. Though not an intended feature, these coins are worth around $70 on online auction sites.
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10. 1999-P Connecticut Broadstruck Quarter
This quarter was not lined up correctly during minting, leading to what collectors call a broadstrike error. These can be sold for about $27.
11. 2005 Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel
A 2005 Jefferson nickel shows what appears to be a spear running through the bison on the tails side. This error was caused by a die scratch and can be worth up to $400 in mint condition.
12. Roosevelt Silver Dimes and Washington Silver Quarters
Before 1965, U.S. dimes and quarters contained 90% silver. Though not particularly rare, the value of the silver alone makes these coins worth more than face value. A silver dime can sell for around $9 and a silver quarter for the same.
13. 1983 “New Pence” 2p Coin
In 1983, the Royal Mint accidentally printed 2p coins with the words “New Pence” instead of “Two Pence.” These coins are considered highly valuable, and complete sets can go for $1256.
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14. 2007 “Godless” Presidential Dollar Coin
In 2007, some George Washington dollar coins were minted without the “In God We Trust” inscription. These coins are called Missing Edge Lettering dollars and are worth around $9 or more today.
Conclusion
It’s easy to overlook the value hiding in plain sight, especially when it comes to something as common as pocket change. However, as this list of valuable coins shows, your spare coins could potentially be worth much more than their face value.
Whether it’s an old penny, a rare quarter, or an error coin, collectors are always on the lookout for unique finds. So next time you empty out your coin jar, take a closer look—you might just stumble upon a hidden treasure that could bring in some serious cash!