Error coins are variations with defects made during the minting process, and some of the most valuable include:
- 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny: A small number of these pennies were mistakenly struck on the normal bronze planchet instead of the steel-zinc alloy used during WWII. They are extremely rare, and some have sold for over $1 million.
- 1975 No S Proof Roosevelt Dime: Proof coins are not intended for circulation, but a couple of these dimes from 1975 were missing the “S” mintmark from the San Francisco Mint. They are incredibly rare, with prices reaching around $450,000.
- 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny: These coins exhibit a prominent doubling of the date and lettering on the obverse due to a misalignment during the minting process. A pristine example can be valued at over $125,000.
- 1937 Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel: This fascinating error resulted from a flaw in the minting process, leaving the buffalo with only three visible legs. The highest recorded sale price for this coin is almost $100,000.
- 1942/1 Overdate Mercury Dime: This die error occurred when a 1941 die was used to produce a 1942 Mercury dime, leaving a “1” visible behind the “2” of the date. Highly graded examples have sold for $120,000.
Other valuable error coins include:
- 1922-D No “D” Lincoln Cent: These pennies are missing the “D” mint mark due to grease accumulation on the obverse die and can be worth over $500 even in poor condition.
- 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent: Similar to the 1943 Copper Penny, these were accidentally struck on leftover steel planchets instead of the copper composition. Well-worn examples can fetch $75,000 or more.
- 1982 No P Roosevelt Dime: These dimes from the Philadelphia Mint are missing the “P” mintmark. Mint state examples can sell for around $175.
- 2004-D Extra Leaf Wisconsin State Quarters: These quarters have an extra leaf on the ear of corn, either pointing up (Extra High Leaf) or down (Extra Low Leaf). These varieties sell for between $50 and $100.
It’s important to note that the value of an error coin depends on factors like the type and extent of the error, the coin’s rarity, and its condition. Counterfeits exist, so if you think you’ve found a valuable error coin, it’s best to have it professionally authenticated.
Why is the 1984 $1 coin rare?
The rare 1984 $1 coin was struck on a 10-cent blank in error, instead of a $1 blank, meaning the coin is silver rather than gold.
What coin is worth $40,000?
Thanks for asking. PCGS values a 1966 Jefferson Nickel in MS66 FS as worth $40,000 and the reason is the grade (MS66) and the striking designation “Full Steps” or “FS”. The 1966 nickel is extremely rare when the steps are fully struck and in the grade MS66 it’s a registry quality coin.