Top 10 Most Valuable U.S. Coins Found in Pocket Change
holeinone1972
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I was bored so I did a search and turned up this.
From Susan Headley,
Your Guide to Coins.
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There are a number of fairly valuable U.S. error coins and die varieties in circulation today. These coins are overlooked by people because they have small distinguishing characteristics, such as a modest doubling of the coin image, or minute differences in the size or spacing of the letters in the legends. Learn which of your pocket change coins is worth a large premium over face value, and why.
Tip: Be sure to do your hunting with at least a 6x power magnifier so you don't miss anything!
1. 1969-S Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
This coin is exceedingly rare. The early specimens were confiscated by the Secret Service until the U.S. Mint admitted they were genuine. Counterfeits abound, but usually have the wrong mint mark.
How to Detect: Look for clear doubling of the entire obverse except for the mint mark. If the mint mark is doubled, it is a double strike, rather than a doubled die, and not worth much. (Mint marks are punched in the dies separately).
Approximate Value: Around $35,000 or more in EF-40 or so.
2. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
As with virtually all true doubled die varieties, only one side of the coin shows doubling. If both sides exhibit doubling, the coin is probably double struck instead, and worth little.
How to Detect: The rarer Small Date variety is most easily distinguished from the common type by the weakness of LIBERTY. The Doubled Die Obverse is best demonstrated by doubling in LIB and IN GOD WE TRUST.
Approximate Value: Around $3,000 in EF-40 or so.
3. 1972 Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
The 1972 (no mint mark) Lincoln Cent doubled die variety shows strong doubling on all elements. The "Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties", which was an important source for this article, suggests using a "die marker" to help verify your finds. A die marker is a gouge or crack that identifies a particular die.
How to Detect: Clear doubling of all obverse elements; look for a tiny gouge near the edge above the D in UNITED as a die marker.
Approximate Value: About $500 in EF-40 or so.
4. 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter With an Extra Leaf
Variety experts disagree about the cause and long-term value of this type, but I've included in the list because it is very findable in pocket change and worth hundreds of dollars right now.
How to Detect: There is some defect on the die that makes it appear as if there's an extra leaf on the lower left-hand side of the ear of corn on the reverse. The leaf is very clear. Known in two varieties, the High Leaf and the Low Leaf type.
Approximate Value: $200-$300 in MS-60 or so.
5. 2005-D Speared Bison Reverse New Design Jefferson Nickel
This variety results from a gouge or crack in the die that has created a long, straight line from the edge of the reverse, all the way through the bison, and ending between the bison's front and hind legs. It looks like a spear has been sent through the bison!
How to Detect: Beginning at an angle aligned along the E in STATES, the "spear" continues in a straight line all the way through the bison.
Approximate Value: From $75 in AU-50 to $1,400 in MS-66
6. 1999 Wide "AM" Reverse Lincoln Cent
This variety is known for 3 dates, 1998, 1999, and 2000, with 1999 being by far the rarest. The mint erroneously used a proof die to strike normal circulation coins. How to Detect: The AM in AMERICA on the reverse is clearly separated in the Wide variety. In the normal variety for these dates, the letters AM are very close or touching.
Approximate Value: $5 to $25 in middle grades, $75 to $600 in MS-63 or better depending on color. 1999 brings the highest prices, with 2000 being second.
7. 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime
At the point in time that these coins were made, the dies sent to the individual branch mints would be punched with the proper mint mark letter for that branch. This variety is believed to be caused because one or more un-punched dies were sent to one of the branches. (The letter P was being used for Philadelphia on dimes at this time.)
How to Detect: The 1982 dime is missing a mint mark.
Approximate Value: About $30 to $50 in AU-50, more for higher grades.
8. State Quarter Die Axis Rotation Errors
This error has been seen in many different State Quarter types, so it's worth checking them all for this oddity.
How to Detect: When you hold the coin with the head straight up and turn the coin over from top to bottom, the reverse design should be right-side up. If the dies weren't set properly in the machine for striking, the reverse will be rotated somewhat from true.
Approximate Value: Full 180 degree rotations are worth about $20 in EF-45 or so. Lesser rotations are worth much less.
9. 1995 and 1995-D Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cents
This doubled die variety generated a lot of mainstream interest when it was featured as a cover story in USA Today. Specimens are still being found in circulation, and lesser doubling is seen in the much rarer and more valuable 1995-D.
How to Detect: Clear doubling in LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Note that the mint mark is also doubled on this variety, as the mint began punching mint marks into the master hub in 1990.
Approximate Value: About $20 to $75 in AU-50, more in higher grades.
10. Various "Old Style" Jefferson Nickels
You might be surprised to discover that you can still find dates as early at 1938 in circulating Jefferson Nickels! These nickels aren't very popular, though, so fewer people pay attention to them. I always save the following mint mark varieties because they have to go up sooner or later...(don't they?)
What I Keep: 1941-Doubled-D, 1941-Large-S, 1942-D-over-horizontal-D, 1949-D-over-S, 1955-D-over-S, and the 1964-Doubled-D. These are all in circulation today!
Approximate Value: $5 to $75
Link
From Susan Headley,
Your Guide to Coins.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
There are a number of fairly valuable U.S. error coins and die varieties in circulation today. These coins are overlooked by people because they have small distinguishing characteristics, such as a modest doubling of the coin image, or minute differences in the size or spacing of the letters in the legends. Learn which of your pocket change coins is worth a large premium over face value, and why.
Tip: Be sure to do your hunting with at least a 6x power magnifier so you don't miss anything!
1. 1969-S Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
This coin is exceedingly rare. The early specimens were confiscated by the Secret Service until the U.S. Mint admitted they were genuine. Counterfeits abound, but usually have the wrong mint mark.
How to Detect: Look for clear doubling of the entire obverse except for the mint mark. If the mint mark is doubled, it is a double strike, rather than a doubled die, and not worth much. (Mint marks are punched in the dies separately).
Approximate Value: Around $35,000 or more in EF-40 or so.
2. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
As with virtually all true doubled die varieties, only one side of the coin shows doubling. If both sides exhibit doubling, the coin is probably double struck instead, and worth little.
How to Detect: The rarer Small Date variety is most easily distinguished from the common type by the weakness of LIBERTY. The Doubled Die Obverse is best demonstrated by doubling in LIB and IN GOD WE TRUST.
Approximate Value: Around $3,000 in EF-40 or so.
3. 1972 Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
The 1972 (no mint mark) Lincoln Cent doubled die variety shows strong doubling on all elements. The "Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties", which was an important source for this article, suggests using a "die marker" to help verify your finds. A die marker is a gouge or crack that identifies a particular die.
How to Detect: Clear doubling of all obverse elements; look for a tiny gouge near the edge above the D in UNITED as a die marker.
Approximate Value: About $500 in EF-40 or so.
4. 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter With an Extra Leaf
Variety experts disagree about the cause and long-term value of this type, but I've included in the list because it is very findable in pocket change and worth hundreds of dollars right now.
How to Detect: There is some defect on the die that makes it appear as if there's an extra leaf on the lower left-hand side of the ear of corn on the reverse. The leaf is very clear. Known in two varieties, the High Leaf and the Low Leaf type.
Approximate Value: $200-$300 in MS-60 or so.
5. 2005-D Speared Bison Reverse New Design Jefferson Nickel
This variety results from a gouge or crack in the die that has created a long, straight line from the edge of the reverse, all the way through the bison, and ending between the bison's front and hind legs. It looks like a spear has been sent through the bison!
How to Detect: Beginning at an angle aligned along the E in STATES, the "spear" continues in a straight line all the way through the bison.
Approximate Value: From $75 in AU-50 to $1,400 in MS-66
6. 1999 Wide "AM" Reverse Lincoln Cent
This variety is known for 3 dates, 1998, 1999, and 2000, with 1999 being by far the rarest. The mint erroneously used a proof die to strike normal circulation coins. How to Detect: The AM in AMERICA on the reverse is clearly separated in the Wide variety. In the normal variety for these dates, the letters AM are very close or touching.
Approximate Value: $5 to $25 in middle grades, $75 to $600 in MS-63 or better depending on color. 1999 brings the highest prices, with 2000 being second.
7. 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime
At the point in time that these coins were made, the dies sent to the individual branch mints would be punched with the proper mint mark letter for that branch. This variety is believed to be caused because one or more un-punched dies were sent to one of the branches. (The letter P was being used for Philadelphia on dimes at this time.)
How to Detect: The 1982 dime is missing a mint mark.
Approximate Value: About $30 to $50 in AU-50, more for higher grades.
8. State Quarter Die Axis Rotation Errors
This error has been seen in many different State Quarter types, so it's worth checking them all for this oddity.
How to Detect: When you hold the coin with the head straight up and turn the coin over from top to bottom, the reverse design should be right-side up. If the dies weren't set properly in the machine for striking, the reverse will be rotated somewhat from true.
Approximate Value: Full 180 degree rotations are worth about $20 in EF-45 or so. Lesser rotations are worth much less.
9. 1995 and 1995-D Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cents
This doubled die variety generated a lot of mainstream interest when it was featured as a cover story in USA Today. Specimens are still being found in circulation, and lesser doubling is seen in the much rarer and more valuable 1995-D.
How to Detect: Clear doubling in LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Note that the mint mark is also doubled on this variety, as the mint began punching mint marks into the master hub in 1990.
Approximate Value: About $20 to $75 in AU-50, more in higher grades.
10. Various "Old Style" Jefferson Nickels
You might be surprised to discover that you can still find dates as early at 1938 in circulating Jefferson Nickels! These nickels aren't very popular, though, so fewer people pay attention to them. I always save the following mint mark varieties because they have to go up sooner or later...(don't they?)
What I Keep: 1941-Doubled-D, 1941-Large-S, 1942-D-over-horizontal-D, 1949-D-over-S, 1955-D-over-S, and the 1964-Doubled-D. These are all in circulation today!
Approximate Value: $5 to $75
Link
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<< <i>Good info here. Thanks! But it sounds like one needs a loop to find most. At least I would. LOL >>
They're not that much - I found a nice double loupe (10x and 20x) on the Bay for $9.
Joe G.
Great BST purchases completed with commoncents123, p8nt, blu62vette and Stuart. Great coin swaps completed with rah1959, eyoung429 and Zug. Top-notch consignment experience with Russ.
<< <i>1. 1969-S Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
This coin is exceedingly rare. The early specimens were confiscated by the Secret Service until the U.S. Mint admitted they were genuine. >>
I don't suppose anyone who had them confiscated has any evidence of the confiscation, unfortunately. Seems like compensation for an unlawful taking would be in order if so.
<< <i>
<< <i>Good info here. Thanks! But it sounds like one needs a loop to find most. At least I would. LOL >>
They're not that much - I found a nice double loupe (10x and 20x) on the Bay for $9. >>
What I meant was one cannot identify most of these errors with the naked eye. At least not my eyes. LOL
Which takes much more time. I have a 10x loop.
<< <i>Good info here. Thanks! But it sounds like one needs a loop to find most. At least I would. LOL >>
That's what makes the Pres Dollars Smoothie so special---it's the first naked eye error in a long time. Not sure why it's not listed here unless this list just predates them. --Jerry
<< <i>
<< <i>Good info here. Thanks! But it sounds like one needs a loop to find most. At least I would. LOL >>
That's what makes the Pres Dollars Smoothie so special---it's the first naked eye error in a long time. Not sure why it's not listed here unless this list just predates them. --Jerry >>
Well I guess it could pre-date them. Or it is the fact that the list says errors you CAN find in CIRCULATION>
lord knows the presidentail dollars DO NOT circulate. LOL
some are probably more likely to appear. The '76-D DDO quarter is a $1,000 coin in the most
likely grade to be found.
This list is just a few coins thrown together.
<< <i>What about people that found 55/55 cents in change? What about people that found 37d three leg nickels in change, or the g04 1894-s dime or 09-svdb cents? >>
I think "reasonably likely to be found in change TODAY" would be more specific. Not many people see wheaties or Buffs in their change.
--
you are supposed to check the give a penny take a penny tray my friend!
i find several a month.
Especially tough are the 1971 - D and 1972 - D.
<< <i>I don't know how valuable they are, but very scarce are the clad circulation type B quarters with the proof artwork reverse.
Especially tough are the 1971 - D and 1972 - D. >>
The same two coins show up with a type "c" DDR!
I'm not sure what the type "b"s are worth either but a nice '71-D DDR will bring $1500. Even
a beat up VG should bring a few hundred.
The type "b"s are almost certainly scarce in higher grades like most all the modern varieties.
I bet these are some of those circulating out there..............
<< <i>I'd add the Cheerio's 2000 Sacs.
I bet these are some of those circulating out there.............. >>
Good point. There are far more missing than accounted for. This will be an interesting one to watch and watch for over the years.
There have also been a few of the states quarter/ sac mules found in circulation. These are worth more than $50,000 but the probability of finding one is low.