Coins are often one of the most overlooked items in our homes. How many times have you found an old coin, tossed it aside, or put it in a drawer without thinking twice about its worth? Well, you might be surprised to know that some of those old coins could actually be worth a lot of money! Rare coins, due to their unique features, errors, or historical significance, can fetch thousands or even millions of dollars.
Whether it’s a forgotten penny or an old nickel, there could be hidden treasures sitting in your junk drawer right now. Here’s a list of 10 rare coins that could be hiding in your collection without you even realizing it!
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the rarest and most valuable coins in American numismatics. Only five of these coins are known to exist, making them extremely sought after by collectors. What makes this coin so special is that the design was used only for a short time, and after the U.S. Mint stopped using it, a few were mistakenly produced.
If you find one of these coins in your collection, it could be worth millions of dollars! Many people might never realize that this rare nickel could be sitting unnoticed in their drawers.
1943 Copper Penny
Most people know that pennies were made of steel in 1943 due to a shortage of copper during World War II. However, a few copper pennies were mistakenly minted that year. These 1943 copper pennies are extremely rare, with only a handful known to exist. If you find a 1943 penny in your collection, check if it is made of copper rather than steel. If it is copper, you might be holding a coin worth thousands of dollars! The mistake in the minting process makes this penny a true treasure.
1955 Double Die Penny
The 1955 Double Die Penny is another error coin that could be worth a lot of money. The mistake occurred when the die used to strike the penny was misaligned, causing the design to appear twice. This error is very noticeable, especially when looking at the date and lettering.
A 1955 Double Die Penny in good condition can fetch thousands of dollars at auction, and some even believe the value could go higher depending on its quality. Before you toss any old pennies, take a moment to inspect them closely – you might be looking at a rare and valuable coin.
1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar
The 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the most famous rare coins in America. Only a limited number were minted, and many were lost or damaged over the years. Because of this, the 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar is considered to be highly valuable.
It is in excellent condition and can sell for thousands of dollars. The coin is also popular among collectors due to its beautiful design, featuring Lady Liberty on the obverse and a bald eagle on the reverse. If you find one of these coins, don’t let it slip away without checking its value!
1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel
The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel is another rare coin caused by a minting error. The coin’s reverse features a buffalo, but due to a mistake in the minting process, the buffalo has only three legs instead of four.
This flaw made the coin stand out and significantly increased its value. The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel is highly sought after by collectors, and finding one in good condition could bring in a hefty amount of money. If you have a collection of Buffalo Nickels, it’s worth going through them carefully to spot this rare error coin.
1804 Draped Bust Dollar
The 1804 Draped Bust Dollar is one of the most well-known rare coins, but it might surprise you to know that it wasn’t actually minted in 1804. The coins were produced in the 1830s but designed to look like 1804 coins.
Only 15 of these coins are known to exist, making them extremely rare and valuable. Due to their rarity, these coins are highly prized by collectors, and they can fetch millions of dollars at auctions. If you find a 1804 Draped Bust Dollar in your collection, you might be holding one of the most valuable coins in the world.
1950-D Jefferson Nickel
The 1950-D Jefferson Nickel is a relatively simple coin, but it’s worth checking carefully. In 1950, the U.S. Mint accidentally produced a limited number of Jefferson Nickels with the “D” mintmark, making them rarer than most other nickels from that time.
Since so few were created, the 1950-D Jefferson Nickel is valuable, and if you have one in good condition, it could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. So, before you discard any old nickels, take a closer look — you may have a hidden gem in your collection.
1916-D Mercury Dime
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is another coin worth checking in your collection. The “D” mintmark on the 1916 dime indicates that it was minted in Denver, and only a small number of these coins were produced. Because of its rarity, the 1916-D Mercury Dime is highly sought after by coin collectors, and it can be worth several hundred dollars, or even more if it is in pristine condition. If you have any Mercury Dimes from the early 1900s, make sure to check for the 1916-D — you might be sitting on a valuable piece of history.
Key Date Coins
Key date coins are particularly valuable because they were part of a limited series or were produced in smaller quantities. Some examples of key date coins include the 1921 Peace Dollar and the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent.
These coins are more difficult to find, making them highly desirable among collectors. If you come across any key date coins, you might be holding something worth far more than its face value. It’s always a good idea to research the key dates of different coin series to see if you have any in your collection.
Silver Coins (Pre-1965)
Before 1965, many U.S. coins, including dimes, quarters, and half dollars, were made of 90% silver. While these coins aren’t as rare as the ones listed above, they are still valuable due to their silver content. The price of silver fluctuates, but these coins can be worth more than their face value, especially if silver prices are high. If you find any old dimes, quarters, or half dollars from before 1965, it’s worth holding onto them. You may be surprised at how much they can be worth!
Conclusion
Before you toss any old coins in your junk drawer, it’s worth taking the time to check them out. You might just be sitting on a hidden treasure! While not all coins are valuable, many rare and collectible coins could be worth far more than their face value.
From the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel to silver coins from before 1965, there are plenty of rare finds waiting to be discovered. So, grab that jar or drawer of old coins and start inspecting them — you never know what you might uncover!
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.
Jon King is an experienced journalist with 3 years of experience in the field. With a strong background in investigative reporting, Jon is known for his in-depth coverage of crime news, finance news, local news, and USA news. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Jon brings his sharp investigative skills, where he provides timely updates and analysis on a wide range of topics. His commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news has earned him a reputation for providing insightful and comprehensive stories that resonate with his audience.
