Many of us think of pocket change as an inconvenience, tossed into a jar or left forgotten in the car. However, some coins in circulation are far more valuable than their face value, with rare examples fetching hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars. Let’s take a closer look at six extraordinary coins that could be hiding in plain sight and learn how to identify them.
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1913 Liberty Head Nickel
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most famous and valuable coins in U.S. history, with only five known to exist.
Historical Background: This coin was minted illegally in 1913 after the Liberty Head design was officially retired. A Mint employee, believed to be George T., struck five examples without authorization, creating one of the rarest coins ever.
Why It’s Valuable: The combination of its unauthorized creation, rarity, and historical significance makes this coin highly desirable. One example sold for $3.7 million in 2018.
How to Spot One: Compare the coin’s design and date to official images of the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. Any authentic example would already be well-documented due to its rarity.
1969-S Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
This coin is one of the most iconic error coins in U.S. numismatics and highly sought after by collectors.
Historical Background: The 1969-S penny features a double die error on the obverse, causing the date and inscriptions, such as “Liberty” and “In God We Trust,” to appear doubled. Only a handful of these error coins were released into circulation.
Why It’s Valuable: The rarity and dramatic doubling effect make this coin a prized collector’s item. High-grade examples can sell for over $200,000.
How to Spot One: Use a magnifying glass to inspect the date and inscriptions on the obverse. If the text and numbers appear doubled, you might have found one.
1943 Copper Penny
The 1943 Copper Penny is an accidental masterpiece created during World War II.
Historical Background: To conserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. Mint switched to zinc-coated steel for pennies in 1943. However, a small number of copper planchets were mistakenly used, resulting in these rare coins.
Why It’s Valuable: With only a few known examples, this coin is one of the rarest and most valuable U.S. coins. One sold for $1.7 million in 2010.
How to Spot One: Copper pennies have a reddish hue, unlike the grayish steel pennies. Use a magnet to check the coin—copper pennies won’t stick to a magnet, but steel ones will.
1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent
The 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent is one of the most famous and collectible error coins in U.S. history.
Historical Background: A misaligned die caused the obverse features, including the date and inscriptions, to appear doubled. This dramatic error occurred in only a few dies, creating a limited number of these unique coins.
Why It’s Valuable: The bold doubling and rarity make this coin incredibly sought after. High-quality examples can fetch over $200,000.
How to Spot One: Look for visible doubling on the date and inscriptions like “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.” The doubling is dramatic and easy to identify with close inspection.
2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter (Extra Leaf Variety)
A more modern example of a valuable coin, the 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter contains a rare die error.
Historical Background: Some 2004 Wisconsin quarters were struck with an extra “leaf” on the corn stalk in the design. This error resulted from a flaw in the die used during production.
Why It’s Valuable: The error is extremely rare, with only a few verified examples. High-grade versions can be worth over $200,000.
How to Spot One: Examine the corn stalk on the reverse of the quarter. If you see an additional leaf above the corn cob, you have a highly sought-after variety.
1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
This coin’s fame stems from a striking error on the buffalo depicted on the reverse.
Historical Background: A worn die caused the buffalo’s front leg to appear missing, creating the “Three-Legged” variety. Only a small number of these coins were struck before the error was corrected.
Why It’s Valuable: The rarity and distinctive error make this coin highly collectible. High-grade examples can sell for over $200,000.
How to Spot One: Look closely at the buffalo’s front legs. If one is missing, you may have a 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel.
Rare coins are more than just currency—they are pieces of history that tell unique stories. Whether it’s a minting error or a rogue production, these hidden gems can turn your pocket change into a life-changing finding. Keep an eye out for these coins, and who knows—you might just strike gold in your coin jar.
FAQs
What makes the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel rare?
Only five examples exist, making it one of the rarest U.S. coins.
How can I identify a 1969-S Double Die Penny?
Look for doubled text on the date and inscriptions like ‘Liberty’.
Why is the 1943 Copper Penny valuable?
It was accidentally minted during a switch to steel pennies in WWII.
What is the 2004-D Wisconsin Quarter error?
It features an extra ‘leaf’ on the corn stalk on the reverse.
How can I spot a 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel?
Look for the missing front leg on the buffalo in the design.
