Valuable Coins you could Discover in Your Pocket Change
1. 1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die on the Head Side
This coin is really quite rare. Originally, these coins were thought to be counterfeit but later the U.S. Mint admitted they were in fact real.
What Defect to Look for: Look for obvious doubling of the entire head side of the coin except for the mint mark. If the mint mark is doubled, it is probably a case of strike doubling rather than a doubled die, which isn't worth much. (Mint marks were punched in the dies separately in 1969, after the doubled die itself had already been made.)
Approximate Value: $35,000
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2. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die on the head side of the coin
Any coin that is double die struck on both sides is worth very little, but if it is double struck on the head side
Makes it worth considerably more.
What Defect to Look for: 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: $3,000
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3. 1972 Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Head Side
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.
What Defect to Look for: 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: $500
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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.
What Defect to Look for: 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
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5. 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.
What Defect to Look for: 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 circulated condition, up to $600 in best coin grade condition
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6. 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 non-punched dies were used to make coins. (The letter P was being used for Philadelphia on dimes at this time.)
What Defect to Look for: The 1982 dime is missing a mint mark.
Approximate Value: About $30 to $50 more for higher grades.
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7. Presidential Dollar Edge Lettering Errors
Ever since the first Presidential Dollar (the Washington Dollar issued in 2007) there have been errors associated with the lettering on the edge of these coins. In some cases it is missing entirely. In others, the edge lettering has been placed there multiple times.
What Defect to Look for: Look at the edge. The inscription should appear fully incused all around the circumference of the coin. Missing or doubled inscriptions are rare and valuable.
Approximate Value: $50 to $3,000, depending on the President.
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8. 1995 Doubled Die Head Side Lincoln Cent
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 all the time!
What Defect to Look for: Clear doubling in LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
Approximate Value: About $20 to $50 in un-circulated condition.
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9. Certain Un-circulated State Quarters
As the economy has worsened, people who have been hoarding rolls of State Quarters have been spending them into circulation. If you can put together whole rolls Un-circulated quarters of certain in-demand states, you can get as much as $50 per roll for them.
What Defect to Look for: Demand changes from time-to-time based on major coin dealer promotions. Currently, look for Georgia, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Illinois. Quarters must be Un-circulated!
Approximate Value: $20 to $52 per roll for strictly Un-circulated rolls of certain states.
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10. Silver Half Dollars
Most people think that the silver in U.S. coins ended in 1964, but this isn't true. The Half Dollar coin had silver in it until 1970. Many people spend the Half Dollars from 1965 to 1970, or sells them in rolls of halves they take to the bank, not realizing they are 40% silver.
What Defect to Look for: If the Half Dollar is dated 1964 or earlier, it is 90% silver. Halves dated from 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver. You might also find silver Proof Half Dollars, which are 90% silver and dated to current. Silver Proof Halves have very shiny, mirror-like surfaces and there is no copper color when you view the edge.
Approximate Value: Value is based on silver spot price.
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