Top 10 Most Valuable U.S. Coins Found in Pocket Change

1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse

The 1969-S Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse is exceedingly rare. The Secret Service confiscated the early specimens until the U.S. Mint admitted they were genuine. Counterfeits abound but usually have the wrong mint mark. However, in May 2014, a mother in Texas found one while going through rolls of coins. PCGS graded the coin AU-55, valued at approximately $24,000.

• How to detect: Look for an apparent doubling of the entire obverse (“heads” side) except for the mint mark. If the mint mark is doubled, it’s probably a case of strike doubling rather than a doubled die, which isn’t worth much. This is because mint marks were punched into the coin die separately in 1969 after the doubled die had already been made.
• Approximate value: Approximately $40,000 or more in AU-50 or better.

1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse

As with practically all true doubled die varieties, only one side of this coin shows doubling. If both sides exhibit doubling on any part of the coin, the coin probably exhibits strike doubling instead and is not worth as much as an actual doubled die.

• How to detect: The rarer Small Date variety is most easily distinguished from the standard type by the weakness of LIBERTY. Another way to identify the Small Date variety is to look at the 7 in the date. If it is level with the other numerals in the date, it is the Small Date variety. If the numeral seven is slightly lower, it is the more common Large Date variety. The Doubled Die Obverse is best demonstrated by doubling in LIB and IN GOD WE TRUST.
• Approximate value: Around $3,500 in EF-40 or so.

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, an essential 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 from which a coin was made.

• How to detect: An apparent doubling of all obverse elements; look for a tiny gouge near the edge above the D in UNITED as a die marker. You’ll need at least a 6X magnifier to authenticate this variety. Also, make sure to use a quality light about 18 inches from the coin’s surface. This will help you see these minor differences easier.
• Approximate value: Nearly$500 in EF-40 or more.

2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter With an Extra Leaf

Variety experts disagree about this type’s cause and long-term value, but we’ve included it in the list because it’s extremely findable in pocket change and worth hundreds of dollars right now. Remember, there should only be one leaf hanging on the left side of the ear of corn. If two leaves are hanging to the left, this is a rare and valuable error coin.

• How to detect: There’s 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 prominent, and a magnifying glass is not necessary to make this observation. Two varieties are known, the High-Leaf and the Low-Leaf types.
• Although no counterfeit coins are known to exist, it’s just a matter of time before counterfeits of this valuable coin start to appear on the market. Therefore, ensure a reliable numismatist authenticates your Wisconsin High Relief or Low Leave variety.
• Approximate value: $200 to $300 in MS-60 or so.

1999 Wide “AM” Reverse Lincoln Cent

This variety is known for three dates: 1998, 1999, and 2000, with 1999 being the rarest. The mint erroneously used a proof die to strike standard circulation coins.

• How to detect: The AM in AMERICA, on the reverse, is clearly separated in the Wide variety. The letters AM are very close or touching in the standard variety for these dates.
• Approximate value: $5 to $25 in circulated condition, $75 to $600 in MS-63 or better, depending on color. 1999 brings the highest prices, with 2000 being second.

1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime

When the United States Mint made these coins, the coin dies sent to the individual branch mints would be punched with the proper mint mark letter for that branch before shipping. The 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime 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 coins made at the Philadelphia facility, “D” for Denver-minted coins, and “S” on dimes minted in San Francisco. Therefore, all coins should have a mintmark. Since this coin has no mint mark, it’s moderately valuable. Beware of altered coins that may have had the mint mark removed by an unscrupulous person.

• How to detect: The 1982 dime is missing a mint mark.
• Approximate value: About $30 to $50 in AU-50, more for higher grades.

Presidential Dollar Edge Lettering Errors

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. The edge lettering is applied to the coin after the coin is struck. In some cases, it’s missing entirely. In others, the edge lettering has been placed there multiple times.

• How to detect: Look at the edge. The inscription should appear fully encased 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.

1995 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

The 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent generated much mainstream interest when featured as a cover story in USA Today. Specimens are still being found in circulation all the time!

• How to detect: Clear doubling in LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
• Approximate value: About $20 to $40 in uncirculated condition.

Certain Uncirculated State Quarters

In challenging economic times, people who had hoarded rolls of State Quarters began spending them into circulation. If you can put together whole rolls of uncirculated quarters of certain in-demand states, you can get as much as $30 per roll.

• How to detect: Demand changes from time to time based on major coin dealer promotions. Currently, look for Georgia, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Illinois. Quarters must be uncirculated!
• Approximate value: $20 to $52 per roll for strictly uncirculated rolls of certain states.

Silver Half Dollars

Most people think 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 Half Dollars from 1965 to 1970 or sell them in rolls of halves they take to the bank, not realizing they are 40 percent silver.

• How to detect: If the Half Dollar is dated 1964 or earlier, it is 90 percent silver. Halves dated from 1965 to 1970 are 40 percent silver. You might also find silver Proof Half Dollars, which are 90 percent silver and dated to current. Silver Proof Halves have extremely shiny mirror-like surfaces and no copper color when you view the edge.