Coins don’t disappear like animals or trends. They become “extinct” when the U.S. Mint stops making them. Over the past 250 years, many coins have come and gone, sometimes lasting only a few years.
While they’re no longer in circulation, some of these extinct coins have become highly valuable to collectors—fetching prices that can soar into the thousands, or even millions, of dollars.
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A blog from 2018 by Numismatic Guaranty Company predicted that all coins might eventually disappear as digital payments and wallets continue to grow. The first coins that might become extinct could be the penny and nickel because they cost more to make than they’re worth.
However, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon. For now, you can still use pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters in your daily transactions. Even half dollars and dollar coins, though mostly produced for collectors, are still legal tender.
Certain modern coins, like the bicentennial quarter, have already become valuable collectors’ items. Some of these now sell for nearly $20,000!
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If you happen to come across a long-extinct U.S. coin from the 18th or 19th century, you could be holding a small fortune. Here’s a list of now-extinct U.S. coin denominations, according to the Numismatic Guaranty Company:
- Half-cent (1793-1857)
- Two-cent (1864-1873)
- Three-cent nickel (1865-1889)
- Three-cent silver (1851-1873)
- 20-cent coin (1875-1878)
- Gold $1 (1849-1889)
- $2.50 gold (1796-1929)
- $3 gold (1854-1889)
- $4 gold patterns (1879-1880)
- $5 gold (1795-1929)
- $10 gold (1795-1933)
- $20 gold (1849-1933)
Depending on the condition of these coins, their value can range from under $100 to over $2 million. Coins in mint condition are extremely rare and tend to stay off the market, as their owners hold onto them. On the other hand, coins with signs of wear are easier to find and more affordable for collectors.
Let’s look at 12 extinct coins that can fetch thousands of dollars. The highest prices listed come from NGC and other coin experts, but keep in mind that the value of most coins is much lower unless they’re in perfect condition:
- 1793 Liberty Cap Half Cent – Worth up to $35,000
- Shield Two-Cent Coin (1864-1873) – Up to $58,500
- 1865 Three-Cent Nickel – As much as $10,000
- Silver Three-Cent Coin (1851-1873) – $60,000
- 20-Cent Coin (1875-1878) – Up to $70,000
- Gold Dollar Coin (1849-1889) – Can fetch $170,000
- Indian Head $2.50 Gold (1908-1929) – Up to $100,000
- $3 Gold Coin (1854-1889) – Up to $192,500
- $4 Stella Gold Coin (1879-1880) – Worth up to $2.75 million!
- Indian Head $5 Gold Coin (1908-1929) – Can be worth $235,000
- Indian Head $10 Gold Coin (1907-1933) – Worth as much as $2 million
- Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin (1850-1907) – Fetches up to $385,000
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While these prices are at the high end, many collectors dream of finding one of these coins in good condition. It’s a reminder that you never know what treasure could be hiding in your pocket change or old coin collection.