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Top 10 coins still in circulation.

I want to try and make a "top ten" type list for coins to look for in your spare change and I would like you guys to help. Im going to try and make a "cheatsheet" for my mother and a few selected others. They see how much fun it is for me and I think they would really like to share.

Post what you think is the most likely "gem" you are still able to find in circulation. I will edit this post with the results so we can keep a tab of whats been listed or not.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The List (so far)

The Cheerios Dollar
1939 nickel
1964 and older sliver coins.
wheat pennies
1995 DDO Lincoln cent
1982 Roosevelt dime - no mintmark
1992-P close am Lincoln
1992-D close am Lincoln
1999-P wide am Lincoln
-CamTron
image

Comments

  • SpaceMonkeySpaceMonkey Posts: 3,311
    A Current release State Quarter
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,128 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • @zoins

    funny enough, thats one i was explaing to my friend the other day. Do you mean the dollar in the bag still from say a fea market or the opened dollar?
    -CamTron
    image
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,128 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The speculation is that many Cheerios Sacs were spent because people didn't realize they were special. This means you should be able to find raw coins in your pocket change image
  • GritsManGritsMan Posts: 2,599 ✭✭✭
    Definitely gotta put the 1939 nickel on there. Of course, any nickel before 1964 is getting to be a find. The 1965, too, for some reason.
    Winner of the Coveted Devil Award June 8th, 2010

  • Wheat pennies.

    I found a 1944 in pretty good condition yesterday in my pocket change.
  • CoxeCoxe Posts: 11,139
    I'll take a shot at it though I will be much more interested in hearing from some of those clearly more knowledgeable in that area.

    1969-S DDO 1c
    1983 DDR 1c
    1984 DDO/ear 1c
    1946-D/S 5c
    1967 FS 5c
    1969-D FS 5c
    1969-S FS 5c
    1967 DDO 10c
    1971 DDR 25c (but is it strike doubling?)
    1976-D DDO 25c
    Select Rarities -- DMPLs and VAMs
    NSDR - Life Member
    SSDC - Life Member
    ANA - Pay As I Go Member
  • BlackBeardBlackBeard Posts: 1,064
    What exactly is a Cheerios dollar and what would separate it from other SAC's? This one is new to me, although I've heard it mentioned often.
    Witty sig line currently under construction. Thank you for your patience.
  • SpaceMonkeySpaceMonkey Posts: 3,311


    << <i>What exactly is a Cheerios dollar and what would separate it from other SAC's? This one is new to me, although I've heard it mentioned often. >>



    a good read......
  • SteveSteve Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭
    The ten US coins that we "might" find in circulation today are:

    1. The Lincoln cent memorial reverse
    2. The Jefferson nickel
    3. The Westward Journey versions of the Jefferson nickel
    4. The Roosevelt dime
    5. The Washington quarter (before 1999)
    6. The Washington quarter (also known as a statehood quarter)
    7. The Kennedy half dollar
    8. The Sacagawea dollar
    9. The Anthony dollar
    10. The Presidential dollar

    Good luck finding them.
    Steveimage
  • 200x Roosie in MS67+
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,294 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'll take a shot at it though I will be much more interested in hearing from some of those clearly more knowledgeable in that area.

    1969-S DDO 1c
    1983 DDR 1c
    1984 DDO/ear 1c
    1946-D/S 5c
    1967 FS 5c
    1969-D FS 5c
    1969-S FS 5c
    1967 DDO 10c
    1971 DDR 25c (but is it strike doubling?)
    1976-D DDO 25c >>


    Speaking of the Cheerios (which I hope someone finds, they have to be out there image)
    Jaime Hernandez was instrumental in getting mine encapsulated by PCGS. Courtesy of PCGS
    image
    It came in a package that looked like this :
    image
    Here is what the '95 DDO cent looks like :
    image
    There's the WIDE AM Lincoln cents from '98,'99, '00. There is a CLOSE AM 1992 D cent, and a host of coins to be found in pocket change.
    Cherrypickin' pocket change is fun.

    Don't forget 2004 D Wisconsin quarters with the high and low leaf. A speared bison nickel and , and and...
  • BlackBeardBlackBeard Posts: 1,064


    << <i>

    << <i>What exactly is a Cheerios dollar and what would separate it from other SAC's? This one is new to me, although I've heard it mentioned often. >>



    a good read...... >>



    Thanks Spacemonkey, you're the man! I'll be on the lookout, although it will be a long shot. I have a circulated roll or two at home to search tonight.
    Witty sig line currently under construction. Thank you for your patience.
  • 66RB66RB Posts: 2,516 ✭✭✭
    1992-P close am Lincoln
    1992-D close am Lincoln
    1999-P wide am Lincoln
    1995-D DDO Lincoln
    1972-P DDO#4 Lincoln(very hard to see and very rare)
    1980-P DDO Lincoln
    1983-P DDR Lincoln
    1984-P DDO Lincoln
    1969-S DDO Lincoln(good luck)
    1970-S DDO Lincoln(good luck)

    Yeah, I like Lincolnsimage
  • Any key date lincoln. I like the list above, but would also add the double die dates (55 and 83).
    Silver halves at the bank.
    Silver dimes.
    EAC member since 2011, one third of the way through my 1793 large cent type set
  • There are some great lists up there...I would add

    1958 DDO Lincoln cent
    1955 DDO Lincoln cent

    any new variety:-)

    and 1 more

    1972 S DDO LIncoln cent Business strike.

    Thanks,
    Bill
  • Oh Yeah,

    1982 Roosevelt dime - no mintmark


  • << <i>The ten US coins that we "might" find in circulation today are:

    1. The Lincoln cent memorial reverse
    2. The Jefferson nickel
    3. The Westward Journey versions of the Jefferson nickel
    4. The Roosevelt dime
    5. The Washington quarter (before 1999)
    6. The Washington quarter (also known as a statehood quarter)
    7. The Kennedy half dollar
    8. The Sacagawea dollar
    9. The Anthony dollar
    10. The Presidential dollar

    Good luck finding them.
    Steveimage >>



    Oh, Oh! That's helpful! ;O)

    Jonathan
    I have been a collector for over mumbly-five years. I learn something new every day.
  • Looking good so far, just keep in mind that coins with 1 in 1,000,000 chance is going to be left behind. I am hoping to get a few people drawn into collecting coins with this, thanks for the help so far.
    -CamTron
    image
  • mozeppamozeppa Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭


    << <i>1992-P close am Lincoln >>

    .......................................................need this one.


    << <i>1992-D close am Lincoln >>

    .......................................................need this one.


    << <i>1999-P wide am Lincoln >>

    ..................................................got it.


    << <i>1995-D DDO Lincoln >>

    ........................................................got it.


    << <i>1972-P DDO#4 Lincoln(very hard to see and very rare).......got it.


    << <i>1980-P DDO Lincoln >>

    .........................................................got it.


    << <i>1983-P DDR Lincoln >>

    ..........................................................got it.


    << <i>1984-P DDO Lincoln >>

    .........................................................got it.


    << <i>1969-S DDO Lincoln(good luck) >>

    ..............................................need this one.


    << <i>1970-S DDO Lincoln(good luck) >>

    ........................................got it.



    << <i>Yeah, I like Lincolnsimage >>




    me too!....any help out there for those 3?
  • flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭
    Extra leaf Wisconsin quarters?
  • jmj3esqjmj3esq Posts: 5,421
    1939 Nickel? Besides being a little old, what is so special about this? I found one last year in change at a restaurant. I still have it.

    I have heard about a 1982 "No P" Roosevelt Dime that was released into circulation.
  • 66RB66RB Posts: 2,516 ✭✭✭
    hey mozeppa.......



    << <i><< 1995-D DDO Lincoln >>

    ........................................................got it.


    << 1972-P DDO#4 Lincoln(very hard to see and very rare).......got it.

    << 1970-S DDO Lincoln(good luck) >>

    ........................................got it. >>



    ummmmm, you suck??image





    seriously..good job on getting those and holding onto them!
  • Plain-edged Washington tokens. Assuming, of course, anybody ever gets ANY Washington dollar token in change.
    Bob
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There are a large number of rarities in circulation. But trying to find something
    like a '72-D DDR quarter out of 35 billion quarters is exceedingly unlikely. There
    are other coins which are scarce and you still have an excellent chance of find-
    ing them.

    But I think the #1 coin in circulation is the one that most collectors are overlook-
    ing; all of them. No, I don't mean a typical, beat up, poorly made 1965 quarter
    but rather those which stand out in condition. This applies especially to the older
    dimes, quarters, and some of the nickels. Other denominations were usually set
    aside in numbers which will be sufficient for collector demand but this isn't always
    the case. Almost any of the circulating coins might be found in conditions which are
    of potential interest.

    With all the cu/ni coins well struck coins can be tough in any condition.
    Tempus fugit.
  • BlackBeardBlackBeard Posts: 1,064


    << <i>No, I don't mean a typical, beat up, poorly made 1965 quarter
    but rather those which stand out in condition. >>



    I found a very nice one of these a few years ago in circulation, almost wondered if it was from a SMS set at one time. I'll try to find it when I get home and if I can I'll post a pic.
    Witty sig line currently under construction. Thank you for your patience.
  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,910 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1. 1969-S DDO Lincoln
    2. 1970-S DDO Lincoln
    3. 'Cheerios' Sacajawea Dollar (I KNOW some of the people who got these in Cheerios boxes had to have spent them)
    4. 1995-D DDO Lincoln
    5. 1994-P DDR Lincoln
    6. 1983-P DDO Lincoln
    7. 1983-P DDR Lincoln
    8. 1984-P DDO Lincoln
    9. 2004-D Roosevelt Die Gouge
    10. 2004-D Wisconsin High and Low leaf quarters
    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • ttownttown Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭
    40% silver halves, I've got at least $1000 dollars face that last 2 years. Of couse I have a bank employee pulling them for me that's in the family.
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,128 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1982 Nickel Die Varieties might be interesting but not in the Top 10 because they get no respect.
  • JapanJohnJapanJohn Posts: 2,030
    space monkey,

    You're killing me with the Discovery Sac. I was going to pull the trigger on that. Decided to sleep on it. Woke up the next morning and steered to the computer to buy it and it was gone. I even emailed the guy selling it and told him if the deal fell through to let me know.

    Can I at least hold it sometime?

    John
    Coin Photos

    Never view my other linked pages. They aren't coin related.
  • ttownttown Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭
    Seems the Salvation Army's finding gold coins every Christmas in their collection bucketsimage Wish I'd hit one of thoseimage
  • SpaceMonkeySpaceMonkey Posts: 3,311


    << <i>space monkey,

    You're killing me with the Discovery Sac. I was going to pull the trigger on that. Decided to sleep on it. Woke up the next morning and steered to the computer to buy it and it was gone. I even emailed the guy selling it and told him if the deal fell through to let me know.

    Can I at least hold it sometime?

    John >>



    anytime my friend... be glad though you still have the 9k... more then i can say image

    /ed

  • Digging around in a box of junk the other day, found a cheerios penny but that was all. image


    image
  • what no mers or steel pennys i have found a few
  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,215 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Time to update this thread. Unless I'm missing it, Speared/Wounded Eagle.

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,145 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Any dime, quarter, or half dated before 1965.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • Slade01Slade01 Posts: 294 ✭✭✭

    @66RB said:
    1992-P close am Lincoln
    1992-D close am Lincoln
    1999-P wide am Lincoln
    1995-D DDO Lincoln
    1972-P DDO#4 Lincoln(very hard to see and very rare)
    1980-P DDO Lincoln
    1983-P DDR Lincoln
    1984-P DDO Lincoln
    1969-S DDO Lincoln(good luck)
    1970-S DDO Lincoln(good luck)

    Yeah, I like Lincolns

    Me too, so how about the 1988 DDO FS-101 (https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1988-1c-doubled-ear-fs-101-rd/569366)? It was not an error but an actual doubled die (http://varietyvista.com/09d WQ Vol 4 DC/01b LC Doubled Dies Vol 2/1988PDDO003.htm) that nobody really noticed so there is only 1 graded by PCGS in 66RD and 1 in 63RB and none from NGC. Most who look at the 1988 look for the flared G it seems, so there should be more FS-101 out there in circulation or sitting in unc rolls, no? The 1984 double ear is not really uncommon by contrast.

  • seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 721 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I don't have a list of 10 but I have been looking for one of these W coins for years . No luck.
    Anybody else looking for one of those? James

  • KurisuKurisu Posts: 1,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    I don't have a list of 10 but I have been looking for one of these W coins for years . No luck.
    Anybody else looking for one of those? James

    Some of us in the CRH thread (Coin Roll & Mint Set Hunting thread) have quite a few but there are still folks here and others I've spoken to who search rolls and change and still have yet to find one.

    Not only are they out there but there are still likely quite a few in MS65 and 66 and I'm sure some 67's considering that there are still a ton of original vendor rolls, like Loomis, from 2019 and 2020 available to find.

    Not finding them like I used to but still finding them regularly! ...Keep you're eyes peeled! You'll find one! Hopefully more than that.

    Coins are Neato!

    "If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright

  • rte592rte592 Posts: 1,673 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Steve said:
    The ten US coins that we "might" find in circulation today are:

    1. The Lincoln cent memorial reverse
    2. The Jefferson nickel
    3. The Westward Journey versions of the Jefferson nickel
    4. The Roosevelt dime
    5. The Washington quarter (before 1999)
    6. The Washington quarter (also known as a statehood quarter)
    7. The Kennedy half dollar
    8. The Sacagawea dollar
    9. The Anthony dollar
    10. The Presidential dollar

    Good luck finding them.
    Steve

    If you can get them to search and save them turn over their change to your jar :D
    You can buy something on one of the others lists :D
    I'd concentrate on wheat cents and silver.
    Let us know what else you find...
    Don't forget to check the coinstar machines.

  • rte592rte592 Posts: 1,673 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    I don't have a list of 10 but I have been looking for one of these W coins for years . No luck.
    Anybody else looking for one of those? James

    My better half found one Early on and I sold it at the coin club auction for $20.
    She hands me her change and asks do I want to look through these?
    I do take a quick scan for wheats and silver.
    I almost have to carry a loupe to really check for W quarters...did find a few of the 75th anniversary quarters some time back.

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 1,940 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Silver nickels: 1 in 2000
    Silver dimes: 1 in 2000
    Silver quarters: 1 in 15,000
    Silver halves: 1 in 1250 or so
    Silver dollars: ————
    W quarters: 1 in 2200
    IHCs: 1 in 75,000
    Wheats: 1 in 200
    Shield nickels: 1 in 400,000
    V nickels: 1 in 70,000
    Buffalo nickels: 1 in 2000
    Proofs: 1 in 5000 or so
    Foreign coins: 1 in 1500

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CRHer700 said:
    Silver nickels: 1 in 2000
    Silver dimes: 1 in 2000
    Silver quarters: 1 in 15,000
    Silver halves: 1 in 1250 or so
    Silver dollars: ————
    W quarters: 1 in 2200
    IHCs: 1 in 75,000
    Wheats: 1 in 200
    Shield nickels: 1 in 400,000
    V nickels: 1 in 70,000
    Buffalo nickels: 1 in 2000
    Proofs: 1 in 5000 or so
    Foreign coins: 1 in 1500

    That looks pretty good but maybe it should be pointed out that these numbers go up and down over time because all but the proofs, foreign, and W 25c's were eradicated from circulation many years ago. When you see one of these it is a coin that got back into circulation.

    There could be a few wheat cents that never got pulled out of circulation and have just sat for many years. These would typically be very dirty but not necessarily. Pre-'83 copper still circulates but mostly because zinc cents disintegrate before you even see one. Wheat cents are relatively stable at .2% and copper about 18% but dropping despite the evaporation of zinc.

    Tempus fugit.
  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,215 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    I don't have a list of 10 but I have been looking for one of these W coins for years . No luck.
    Anybody else looking for one of those? James

    The W quarters?

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • FrazFraz Posts: 2,118 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 3, 2024 3:19AM

    I found several San Francisco quarters last month (post 1999).

  • KurisuKurisu Posts: 1,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 3, 2024 4:59AM

    To add to the list...one of my favorite modern series is the American Innovation Dollars.
    I absolutely love them and I rarely find them in circulation, even when I search boxes of small dollars.

    Except for the first year, every year has less than half a million minted in each P and D. So I'd say they're even more uncommon than the W quarters.

    The introductory coin in 2018 had just over 2 million each of P and D minted.
    The next 2 in 2018 (Classifying the Stars and The Polio Vaccine) only had under 900,000 of each P and D minted.
    All the rest have had less than half a million and some barely 300,000 minted.

    Coins are Neato!

    "If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright

  • ambro51ambro51 Posts: 13,780 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think the 1983 Quarter and Dime in AU or better would be a nice fairly rare find. Any Wheat in RD or RB is a prize.

  • pocketpiececommemspocketpiececommems Posts: 5,870 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1938 and 39 Jefferson nickels

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