When collecting coins, certain years and types stand out due to their rarity, historical significance, or precious metal content. Here’s a guide to some years and types to consider looking for:
Pennies
- 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: This coin is highly sought after by collectors, particularly those in higher grades. It’s considered the ultimate “grail” coin for many collectors. The original mintage included the designer’s initials, Victor D. Brenner, but they were removed after a short time due to controversy.
- 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent: This penny has one of the lowest mintages in the series, with only 1,193,000 struck at the Denver Mint.
- 1943 Copper Lincoln Cent: Pennies minted in 1943 were made of steel due to wartime copper shortages. However, a small number of pennies were mistakenly struck on copper planchets, [making them very rare and valuable according to Bankrate] . These can be verified with a magnet – if it sticks, it’s steel.
- 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent: This coin features a prominent doubling of the date and lettering due to a minting error. Many of these entered circulation through cigarette vending machines.
Nickels
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Only a small number of these nickels were produced, making them extremely rare and sought after by collectors.
- 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel: A minting error resulted in the bison appearing to have only three legs on some 1937-D Buffalo Nickels, [making them a famous and valuable error coin according to Gainesville Coins].
Dimes
- Pre-1964 Dimes: Dimes minted in 1964 and earlier are made of 90% silver.
- 1916-D Mercury Dime: This is a key date in the Mercury Dime series due to its low mintage of only 264,000 coins.
- 1894-S Barber Dime: Only 24 of these dimes were minted in San Francisco, making them extremely rare and valuable.
Quarters
- Pre-1964 Quarters: Quarters minted in 1964 and earlier are made of 90% silver.
- 1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarters: These quarters are sought after due to their low mintages, particularly for the inaugural year of the Washington Quarter design.
- 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter ‘Extra Leaf’ Error: This error coin features an additional leaf on the corn cob on the reverse side.
Half Dollars
- Pre-1970 Half Dollars: Half dollars minted up to 1970 contain silver. Those minted in 1964 are 90% silver, while those minted between 1965 and 1970 are 40% silver.
- 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar: This half dollar is popular for its artistic design and silver content.
Dollars
- Pre-Eisenhower Silver Dollars: Silver dollars minted before the Eisenhower dollar series are valuable for their silver content and potentially for their numismatic value.
- Morgan Silver Dollars (1878-1921): These dollars are very popular with collectors due to their design and silver content. The 1893-S Morgan dollar is particularly valuable due to its rarity, with only 100,000 minted.
- 1921 High Relief Peace Dollar: This historically important coin was the first Peace dollar minted, and its high relief features make fully struck examples particularly desirable.
In addition to specific years, look out for coins with errors that may have slipped past quality control during the minting process. Some notable examples include:
- Planchet errors: Off-metal coins, clipped planchets, or wrong planchet errors.
- Die errors: Doubled dies, repunched or inverted mintmarks.
- Strike errors: Misaligned or off-center strikes, double strikes.
- Mule coins: Coins struck with dies intended for different denominations.
- Condition: The condition of a coin significantly affects its value. Coins in excellent condition (uncirculated or proof) will command higher prices than those that are circulated or damaged.
- Mint marks: Mint marks indicate the location where a coin was minted. These can be important for identifying key dates and varieties.
- Precious metal content: Many older coins contain silver or gold, which adds to their inherent value. Even if a coin isn’t rare, its melt value can be substantial.
Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The value of coins can fluctuate, and it’s essential to consult with a reputable coin dealer or numismatist for expert appraisals and guidance on buying or selling coins.
Why is the 1984 $1 coin rare?
Thanks for asking. 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 coins from the 2000s are worth money?
2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter. …
2005-D 5C Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel. …
2005-P-D-S Minnesota Quarter Doubled Die. …
2008-W Silver Eagle Reverse of 2007. …
Presidential Dollar Errors.