Alex Carson
Digital transactions are commonplace these days. So much so, that many people don’t even carry cash anymore.
As such, coinage and change are slowly but surely becoming things of the past. Seriously, why do we even need pennies in this day and age? Nobody really wants to have their pockets and purses weighed down by a bunch of virtually useless zinc-coated copper bits.
But while your pocket may no longer filled with the metallic likenesses of dead presidents. And it might no longer be worth carrying around coins with you in general, some specific coins still hold a significant and astonishing amount of value.
This is especially true when it comes to rare and vintage coins. Some of these rare coins can even be worth tens of thousands – if not millions – of dollars. So start digging through your sofas and shine a flashlight into the darkest corners of your car while making sure to check every last nook and cranny for loose change, because if you happen to find any of the coins featured in this video, then it just might be your lucky day.
1894 – S Barber Dime
These bad boys are so rare that there are supposedly only nine left in existence. Because of this, they’re potentially worth millions of dollars at auction.
In 2016, a collector shelled out $2 million to get his mitts on one of these beauties.
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And don’t go anywhere just yet. We’ve still got 17 valuable coins to discuss. So, hang tight.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
If you have in your property a vintage nickel from the 19th or 20th century featuring a face then you just might be in for a pleasant surprise. Take them to a coin appraiser as soon as you can to have them identified. If you have a liberty head, shield, or Buffalo nickel, each one of these coins can be worth several thousand dollars apiece.
1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny
In the 1940s, the US Mint produced pennies made of steel that then coated with zinc. But this coin special because it crafted out of copper. Now keep in mind that there are a million fakes out there and a lot of them are fairly convincing facsimiles, but if you get your hands on one of the real deals, it can be worth as much as $10,000.
1955 Double Die Penny
If you think that this coin looks a bit blurry then your eyes aren’t just playing tricks on you. The double image effect created due to a slight mishap in the minting process. In 1955 a couple thousand of these put into circulation. Most of them given out as change from cigarette vending machines. Today, one of these misprint coins can be worth up to $1,800.
1970 – S Proof Washington Quarter
Keep your eyes out for the ‘S’ mark on the head side of the coin. That indicates that it minted in San Francisco. On the flip side, look for the number 1941 printed upside down about the word dollar. If you are fortunate enough to find a quarter matching this description, then you’ve just struck gold. These have previously gone for as much as $35,000 at auction.
1992 Close AM Penny
In 2012, a penny minted in 1992 sold for more than $20,000 at auction.
At first glance, this Lincoln penny doesn’t look obviously different than any other penny. But upon closer inspection, you’ll find that the A and M in America are closer than they should be.
Only fifteen of these coins are believed to exist.
2004 Wisconsin State Quarter
Wisconsin produced millions of quarters in 2004, but a few thousand somehow ended up with an extra leaf mark on the husk of corn. That might not seem that interesting to most people, but it’s precisely the reason why the coin is worth as much as $1,400.
2005 “In God We Rust” Kansas State Quarter
So, this misprint caused by an accumulation of grease in the coin die. The build-up of crud caused the letter T in the nation’s official motto ‘In God We Trust’ to come out looking subdued. Humorously this resulted in the motto coming out all wrong. Thanks to this technical issue, this coin can be worth hundreds of dollars.
2005 Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel
In this rare coins, the depiction of the buffalo looks as if it has impaled by a long spear straight through its abdomen.
If you are lucky enough to own one of these rare coins, it could be worth more than $1,000.
2007 “Godless” Presidential Dollar Coin
Remember that ‘In God We Rust’ coin? Well, this George Washington dollar coin isn’t just missing a single letter, it’s missing the entire United States motto. At auction, these coins have known to fetch hundreds to thousands of dollars. Who knew that a flub could be so profitable?
Ben Franklin Half-Dollar
In the late 40s, Ben Franklin and eagle half-dollars were in circulation.
After JFK was assassinated, however, the coins were replaced in 1964 to feature his likeness.
While they might not be quite as rare or valuable as some other coins featured in this video, but the Franklin half-dollar coins are still worth at least $100 apiece.
1992 No P Mintmark Roosevelt Dime
You’ll always find a lettered mintmark somewhere on a coin that indicates where it made. Or at least that is supposed to be the case. Some misprinted coins lack the mintmark and thus can be quite valuable. This Roosevelt dime, for example. Is missing the Philadelphia Mint mark that is always indicated with the letter ‘P’ on other coins.
After realizing that they had mistakenly forgotten to print the ‘P’ on these coins. The Philly mint quickly corrected their mistake. But by that time several hundred dimes had already been produced. If you find one, it can be worth up to $300.
1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar – Class I
We likely don’t need to tell you this, but if you own any coins from the 19th century then you should probably go ahead and have them appraised by an expert. One of these 1804 silver dollar coins recently sold at auction for a mind-boggling $3.7 million. Another one sold for $4.14 million.
There are apparently only 15 of these extremely rare coins in existence, so don’t expect to magically find one in your piggy bank or down at the local flea market. But, in the off chance that you do stumble across one, hold on to it for dear life and make sure that you have it authenticated by a reliable appraiser.
1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
Did you know that for a time you could actually get $20 coins? At the same time, there’s a US Mint Chief engraver named Charles Barber, who decided it better to remove the motto ‘In God We Trust’ instead of Saint-Gauden’s complicated design.
This controversial decision meant that these coins became quite rare and valuable over time. Granted very few are known existence but the last one that sold at auction fetched a whopping $7 million.
Wheat Pennies
So, you’re probably not going to pay off all of our credit card debt and student loans by owning a Wheat Penny, but if you sell one you just might be able to afford a new television or something. Wheat pennies from before the 1930s are worth upwards of $300.
A 1901 S-marked Wheat Penny, for example, is worth $430. A 1914 D-marked Wheat Penny on the other hand is worth more than 4 grand.
1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
This coin sits atop the rankings of the most expensive coins ever made. Some experts believe that it actually the first silver dollar struck by the US Mint. The front features a side profile of Lady Liberty with her hair flowing behind her. The reverse displays an American eagle. Less than 1,800 of these coins ever made, and it’s estimated that perhaps only 120 to 130 coins are still in existence.
In 2013, one of these coins sold at auction for $10 million.
1787 Brasher Doubloon
These coins made by Ephraim Brasher, a New York City goldsmith and silversmith in the late 185h century. The coin’s front shows a state seal in front of a rising sun. The reverse displays an American Eagle with a shield.
The coin is already rare, but certain incarnations of it have sold at various prices depending on specific characteristics.
In 2011, one of these Doubloons sold for $7.4 million. A few years later in 2018, another Brasher Doubloon with the Signature EB on the Bird’s wing sold at auction for $5 million.
1787 Fugio Cent
The Fugio Cent hasn’t set the kind of records that the two previous coins have but it still is a valuable addition to your collection. And beyond that, it also has a fascinating history to it. The Fugio Cent, also known as the Franklin cent, may have the first coin circulated in the newly founded United States.
The coin features a sun and sundial alongside the Latin word Fugio which suggests that the sun and time are flying. At the bottom, the coin reads ‘mind your business’, an inscription that literally meant to remind the bearer to pay attention to their business affairs. On the reverse of the coin, you can find the motto ‘We are one’ with 13 links in a chain symbolizing the first 13 states of America.
Fugio cents in decent condition can go for a few thousand dollars.
Well, do you have any of these rare coins in your personal collection? If so, you’d be wise to hold on to them for as long as you can. These sorts of collectibles tend to only go up in value over time. But even if you don’t have anything particularly rare you should always be on the lookout out for silver coins minted before 1964. Such coins include the Morgan dollar, the Mercury Dime, and even some pre-1964 Washington Quarters.
While some of these coins might have some collectible value independent of their silver content – such is the case with some of the Morgans – the value of common coins is inflated by their bullion value.
Coin collecting can be a fun hobby. But it can also be a fairly profitable one. What’s the most valuable coin in your collection? Let us know in the comments section below.
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