Do you have some valuable coins in your coin jar? Let’s see if you might. To some, coins are just circular pieces of metal that they throw in a jar and forget about until the jar fills to the brim. To others, this currency shows an insight into the history of a country and a viable opportunity to earn wealth through trading and collecting.
Either way, owning the right coins can take your net worth soaring to new heights. Whether you’re an amateur collector, a seasoned numismatist, or just a curious individual, keep your eye out for some of the most valuable coins circulating today.
Valuable Coins in Circulation
1913 Liberty Head V Nickel
The mother of all collectible coins is the 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel. Produced in limited quantities, this coin with a literal $0.05 value has fetched prices as much as $4.5 million dollars at auction. According to records, the U.S. mint struck only five of these particular nickels, with all of them snatched up by numismatist Samuel Brown. At the time, Brown paid $500 for each coin, which equivalates to over $7,000 per piece today. You may not come across one of these in your change jar, but if you do, it’s like winning the lottery.
1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny
While you might throw this one in the change jar, the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny is the most valuable $0.01 piece of all American currency. At the dawn of World War II in 1942, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to zinc-coated steel (bronze) for their penny strikings to save money for the war effort. In 1943, they resumed their use of copper with a few of the bronze coins remaining in the minting machines. This resulted in just a handful of them being produced, making them extremely rare and in some circles, a value of over $200,000.
1969-S Lincoln Penny with Double-Die Obverse
Pennies minted with an S-mark in 1969 are a dime a dozen. The San Francisco Mint printed millions of these a year. But the 1969 Lincoln Penny with a double-die obverse is an anomaly that’s worth a fortune. A double-die occurs when the minting machine inadvertently presses dates or images side-by-side within a few millimeters. In the case of the 1969 Lincoln penny, you’ll clearly see two 1969s and S’s overlaid just slightly apart from each other. If that’s the case, you can cash in on a coin worth approximately $24,000.
2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter with an Extra Leaf
In 1999, the U.S. Mint came out with the idea of producing a quarter for each state, commonwealth, and territory. As a result, you might have a pocket full of change bearing the names of Hawai’i, Illinois, or Massachusetts. However, one state you should keep a particular eye on is Wisconsin. In 2004, their state quarter featured a defect in the minting plate, resulting in an extra leaf in their state emblem. Plenty of these still floating around in circulating change, but if you’re lucky enough to have one, you might find yourself the recipient of $200 to $300.
Valuable coins don’t come around that often without a hefty price tag. Yet the curious coin trader might find a gem in their pocket, while coin collectors can cash in on a bit of currency that’s undervalued. Either way, keep your eyes open for these coins that can turn curiosity into affluence.
If you enjoy rare to find coins, estate coins, gold coins or silver coins, schedule an appointment to come in and check out the wide selection of coins we have at our Newport Beach Gallery. We have helped hundreds of families find or liquidate entire coin collections, and we can help you do the same.
Whether you’re looking to start a coin collection or want to sell your valuable coins, we’ve been around for over a decade and have helped many buy, sell, and even trade their coins. Visit us as your trusted coin dealer in Orange County specializing in valuable coins, currency, fossils, and more.
