Valuable Coins That Could Be Hiding In Your Home

Ashley - May 25, 2023

Photo: sites.google.com

1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny

An error made during the printing of these pennies during WWII has created one of the most valuable pennies in history. The U.S. needed to save copper for the war effort, so in 1943, the U.S. Mint started to make pennies out of zinc instead of bronze. But some bronze planchets, which are plain metal discs used to make coins, were accidentally used, which resulted in one of the rarest U.S. coins being minted. When you’re looking through your collection of 1943 pennies, pay special attention to the color. Ones that look more brown than gray could potentially be one of these Bronze Lincoln Pennies. Have a local coin expert evaluate it to see if you’re the owner of a million-dollar penny!

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1793 Flowing Hair Liberty Cap Large Cent Penny

Did you know there has been a large variety of the Lady Liberty Cap cent circulated throughout the years? There are a ton of variations of this penny, but the 1793 Flowing Hair Liberty Cap Large Cent Penny is by far one of the most impressive and coveted subtypes of this coin. This variation was minted in 1793 as type III of the coin. It was created to honor the people who bravely served in the American Revolution. Its distinctive appearance gives this coin its value. The plain edges are unusual for these coins, and this rare characteristic makes this coin worth nearly $20,000 today!

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1879 Gold Stella

Back in the late 1800s, there was an effort in Europe to form a single currency. The Latin Monetary Union was the leading organization of this movement, and the United States tried to conform for a short time. The Stella was created to match the composition and weight of other coins in that union, which was eventually dissolved in 1927. John Kasson, Congressman of Iowa, proposed a gold coin worth $4. The weight would match the Austro-Hungarian 8 florin piece, but the coin was never approved for full-scale production. Despite that, some coins still made their way into circulation. Most coin collectors would happily pay a small fortune to get their hands on one of these rare coins. A recent two-coin set from the Smithsonian sold for almost $5,000 in 2021.

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2005-D Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel

Coin collectors love finding small errors like this! The usual Jefferson nickel is well known for the image of a buffalo on the back, but there were some nickels minted in Denver in 2005 with an interesting error. When you come across a 2005-D Jefferson Nickel, pay special attention to the buffalo on the back. If the buffalo appears to have a spear running through it, then you’ve stumbled onto a rare nickel! These 2005-d Speared Bison Jefferson Nickels sell for more than $1,000 and are easily one of the most interesting design flaws on this list.

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1969 S Lincoln Penny Doubled Die Obverse

You can’t expect the world of coins not to have a few juicy scandals along the way, and this is one of them! We’re very pleased to present you with the 1969 S Lincoln Penny Doubled Die Obverse. This penny has seen more drama than nearly any coin in its lifetime. First minted in 1969, this copper and zinc double die coin was believed to be the result of improper preparation of the die. But what made it famous wasn’t the obvious error. It’s fame came from the vast number of people trying to forge it! The government eventually destroyed nearly all of these coins to eliminate the risk of forgery, but at least one coin survived the destruction. One of these pennies appeared online in 2008 and sold for a whooping $126,500!

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1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny

You’re going to see a lot of doubled die pennies on this list because it happens to be one of the more common (although still not frequent) minting mistakes seen in coins. About 20,000-24,000 of these coins were originally released, although experts believe their numbers have dwindled to 10,000-15,000. It’s theorized that these pennies made it into circulation by passing inspection on an overnight shift where there wasn’t proper supervision. Regardless of how it happened, thousands of coins were released into circulation in 1955 with obvious double imprinting on the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.” You can easily turn one of these pennies into a small windfall by selling them on eBay. A recent sale for one of these pennies earned the original owner nearly $2,000!

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1964-P Roosevelt Dime: Special Mint Set

Let’s take a break from the hilarious world of scandals and minting errors to check out this special class of coins. The 1964-P Roosevelt Dime isn’t valuable because of an error or any historical event. Instead, its value is due to its release as a special mint scent. You’ll probably need a coin expert to evaluate your coin if you find a dime from this era because the differences are slight and not always obvious to those who aren’t knowledgable about the intricacies of coins. These special strike dimes usually have satin-like and smooth finishes with sharp, squared-off edges. If you happen to find one of these coins, then you’re in luck! A single nickel from this set will sell for $5,000-$10,000 depending on its condition.

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1922 Lincoln No D Strong Reverse/Weak Obverse Wheat Penny

Most people know Wheat Pennies are rare and typically worth holding onto. An average Wheat Penny can get you a little extra cash, but some are extra special. The 1922 Lincoln No D Strong Reverse/Weak Obverse Wheat Penny is the rarest of three variations released in 1922. Its appearance is particularly sharp and clear thanks to the fresh die, but this coin wasn’t in circulation for very long. This coin’s history is interesting because it featured errors that would’ve already increased the value, but the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) also refused to attribute this coin for nearly twenty years! Thanks to all these factors, a single one of these pennies is worth nearly $48,000.

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1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

Named after Augustus Saint-Guadens, the designer of the original 1905-1907 model, this 1927-D Sain-Guadens Double Eagle coin is unlike any you’ve ever seen. This cold going was originally set to be worth $20, and many thought they had all been melted down during the 1933 gold recall. Experts estimate these coins would be worth $1 million today, but one of these coins sold for nearly $3 million in August 2021. The coin was in excellent condition and color, and it was part of the prestigious Louis E. Eliasberg collection.

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2007 Presidential Dollar With Lettering Error

Many people began saving the Presidential coins that were released toward the end of the early 2000s, and if you were one of them, then you might be in luck! Some of the coins released during this time had lettering errors that bumped up their worth significantly. The most valuable error you could come across is on early George Washington dollars. Some of these coins were circulated with incomplete or missing lettering around the edges, which is a fairly unusual error that greatly improves its value. Some of these coins will go for more than $3,000 on eBay!

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Photo Credit: instagram.com/numismattack

1856 Flying Eagle Penny

At first glance, you’d probably assume this penny is extra valuable because of the gorgeous flying eagle minted on it. While the appearance is one that strikes a feeling of patriotism into the hearts of all Americans, that isn’t the main reason why it’s so valuable. The U.S. Mint struggled with the cost of mintage for this coin. The 4.70-gram coin was originally much larger, but the size was reduced and nickel was mixed with the copper to help reduce costs. These iconic coins were replaced fairly quickly with the popular Indian Head pennies, so they were only in rotation for a short time. All these factors have significantly raised the value of these pennies, and experts believe they could sell for nearly $150,000 today!

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1894-S Barber Dime

This 1894-S Barber Dime is easily one of the rarest coins on this list. It might even be the rarest coin on this list. This dime was designed by an engraver by the name of Charles E. Barber and produced at the San Francisco Mint. Only 24 of these dimes were created, and only nine are left in existence today. A couple of these coins have famously popped up over the years and sold for an impressive profit. One 1894-S Barber Dime was sold at a Florida auction for $2 million, while another was sold at a Chicago auction for $1.32 million. The odds of you finding one of these coins among your change are pretty low, but it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye out!

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1922-D Wheat Penny With No Mint Mark

Here is one of the rarest wheat pennies you’ll find on this list. Roughly 7,160,000 wheat pennies were produced by the Denver mint in 1922, but some of the coin dies were overused. This caused the D in the mint marks to be barely visible for a batch of pennies. Some pennies were even missing the D entirely. It was an unexpected and rare error that wasn’t caught before these pennies made their way into circulation- and potentially into your home! If you happen to find one of these pennies hiding among the rest of your change, then you’ll be pleased to know they carry a high value. Depending on their condition, these pennies are worth between $4,000 and $11,000!

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1907 Golden Eagle Wire Edge

When you’re looking through your coin collection, you’ll want to keep an eye out for this 1907 Golden Eagle Wire Edge coin. You’re looking for a coin that was minted between 1907 and 1938. On one side, there will be an image of Lady Liberty wearing a crown that reads “Liberty.” On the other side will be a heraldic eagle. Oddly enough, this is one of the most used minted coins in U.S. history, but it’s still worth a fortune! The most valuable variation of this is a 1907 Golden Eagle Wire Edge from Mint 64. An auction in 2017 sold one of these rare beauties for an astonishing $2.8 million!

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1999 Lincoln Memorial Penny With Wide AM

Two varieties of the Lincoln Memorial cent were struck by the U.S. Mint at the end of the 20th century. One type is more rare than the other due to its lettering. On the rarer coin, the letters AM in the word “America” are set noticeably apart. The less rare coin has the letters so close that they’re almost touching. While this penny won’t bring in as much as some as the others on this list, it can still fetch you a decent profit. Depending on its condition, you could easily get anywhere from $45 to more than $500 for one of these Lincoln Memorial cents.

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1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Remember the 1894-S Barber Dime we mentioned earlier? The rarity of that coin came from the fact that only 24 coins were ever produced. This 1913 Liberty Head Nickel surpasses that by a wide margin because only five of these coins are confirmed to exist! This coin was also designed by Charles E. Barber. The Roman numeral “V” was engraved on one side of the Liberty head nickel, but the U.S. Mint failed to add the word “Cents.” This created the perfect situation for a scandal and scammers immediately took advantage of the situation. Scammers began plating the coins in gold and attempting to pass them off as $5 coins rather than $0.05. All the attention drawn to this coin and the drama caused by these scammers seriously skyrocketed their worth. One of these coins from the Louis E. Eliasberg collection sold for $4.56 million at a Philadelphia auction in 2018.

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1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent- Doubled Die Obverse

Some of the coins we’ve shown you have visible errors and flaws that anyone could take a look and point it out. But other coins have very subtle flaws, and this is one of them. The 1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent experienced a minor design flaw resulting from poor die stamping. When you look closely at one of these rare wheat pennies, you should be able to notice that the letters and numbers on this coin were stamped twice and in slightly different places, which makes them overlap. Despite the flaw being so minor, it still increased the value dramatically. Experts estimate that an uncirculated mint condition 1917 Lincoln What Cent with this error could fetch up to $6,500.

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Morgan Silver Dollar

Siler dollars are also fun to find, but some are more special than others. This Morgan Silver Dollar is named after its designer George T. Morgan. The $1 coin features an image of Lady Liberty on one side and an eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse. This particular type of coin was minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, but hundreds of millions were melted down over the years for their precious silver. However, a special non-circulating edition was also released in 2021. A Morgan Silver Dollar’s value will depend heavily on its condition, rarity, and mint year. Recent sales for these coins have gone for between $400-$2,000!

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Photo Credit: youtube.com/couchcollectibles

1872 Indian Head Penny

Coin collectors will always covet the Indian Head Penny. The image on the coin is iconic and the coins themselves are unique. The 1872 Indian Head Penny is a particularly desirable variation because it was the lowest minted among the entire series of Indian Head pennies. Colectors are always searching for this particular coin, but many of the remaining 1872 Indian Head pennies have deteriorated significantly. Only mint-condition coins will grab a high price tag, but it’s worth it if you can find one from this year. Recently, one of these pennies sold for an impressive $125,500!

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1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Unfortunately, it’s pretty unlikely you’ll come across a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel mixed in with the rest of the change in your car or purse, but these nickels are still impressive and deserve a spot on this list! Only five of these coins ended up in circulation, which is pretty shocking. There were rumors of a sixth coin, but no one has been able to confirm its existence. The unbelievable rarity of these coins makes their value extremely high. One of these 1913 Liberty Nickels made its way to auction in 2018, and astonished the world of coin collectors when it sold for $4.56 million!

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1795 Reeded Edge Cent

Most of the coins on this list are traditional pennies, quarters, dimes, and nickels, but a few cents also have a place in the world of coin collecting enthusiasm. This 1795 Reeded Edge Cent is considered to be one of the rarest of all the big cent coins. You might be surprised to learn that these cents are actually very low-grade, which is one of the reasons they’re so coveted. These cents were developed as more of an experiment rather than being intended for general circulation, which is why they’re so low-grade. Only seven of these coins have been confirmed to exist, so it’s unlikely you’re carrying one around in your purse. However, if you happen to come across one, make sure you hold onto it! One of these coins sold for $1.26 million in 2008.

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1877 Indian Head Penny

We’ve already discussed how popular Indian Head pennies are among coin collectors, but the different years make a significant difference in their rarity and value. Indian Head pennies are easily recognizable due to their iconic image and bright-red copper color, but the pennies from 1877 are particularly wanted among collectors. Only 852,500 Indian Head pennies ever made their way into circulation, and this specific year produced less than other years. If you find an 1877 Indian Head Penny mixed in with the rest of your pocket change, then you’re in for a treat. These pennies have sold for nearly $150,00!

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1825 Coronet Liberty Head Large Cent

Coins featuring Lady Liberty tend to be prized possessions among collectors because they’re often rare for one reason or another. This 1825 Coronet Liberty Head Large Cent isn’t just valuable thanks to the presence of Lady Liberty. It’s rarity comes from the fact that the design was agreed upon by the general public. Master engraver Rober Scot was told to design “a spectacularly ugly head of Ms. Liberty.” Due to this request, a re-design was issued. Only a small number of this particular coin made it’s way into circulation, which is why this particular coin is considered to be a major collector’s item. These coins will easily sell for over $3,000!

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1909 V. D. B. Matte Proof Lincoln Penny

You probably haven’t seen a coin like this before. As one of the first Lincoln pennies in circulation, the 1909 V.D.B Matte Proof Lincoln Penny made quite an impression on collectors. There are two things about this coin that set it apart from the crowd. First, it was struck with a matte-proof die, which was unusual of that time. Second, the designer’s initials “V.D.B.” can be seen at the bottom of the penny. These initials were later removed, which makes this particular penny extremely rare. A mere 1,194 coins were ever produced with the designers initials, making them an extremely rare find today. Were you to find and sell one of these coins, you could easily receive over $250,000!

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1343 Edward III Florin

Known as the “double leopard,” this coin is easily one of the rarest in existence. The Edward III Florin coin’s origins have been traced back to 1343, making it one of the oldest coins to ever be found at auction. Only three of these coins have been confirmed to exist in today’s world, which gives them an even more valuable rarity. One of these coins was found in almost perfect condition by a person using a metal detecor in 2006. That one find completely changed that person’s life because the coin sold at auction for $6.8 million!

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1894 Indian Head Cent- Double Date

We’ve seen a lot of coins on this list that feature double printing on letters or numbers, and this 1894 Indian Head Cent is yet another prime example of this classic flaw. This valuable and rare penny is sought after by collectors because the number “94” was accidentally stamped twice. However, there’s something about these cents that make them even more unique. Only some of the 1894 Indian Head Cents feature this printing error. Since only part of the batch has this error, those with the double date are considered more valuable. One of these pennies can easily featch more than $1,000.

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1909 S Indian Head Cent

We’ve discussed the popularity of the Indian Head design throughout the 1800s, but it really can’t be overstated. This design was used so much that the public began to believe the design had been overused by the time the 1900s came around, which led the government to focus on other designs. Many pennies came out with President Lincoln as the main feature rather than an Indian Head, which was a significant design change. However, Indian Head cents weren’t completely done away with yet, but very few of them continued to be minted. This 1909 S Indian Head Cent is one of the few batches that came out during the early 1900s, which makes it a rare and valuable find. Most collectors will spend over $1,300 for a single one of these pennies.

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