
6 Valuable Coins That Could Be Hiding In Your Change
Valuable coins go in and out of people’s pockets more than you’d think—many people don’t know what collectible coins to look for or may not even think about the fact that some coins have more value than what’s printed on them. Whether you want to invest your coins in a Gold IRA or are curious about silver buying options, it’s important to read up on valuable coins so you can know if you’ve come across one before you just give it away. Here are some valuable coins that could be hiding in your pocket change:
1. 2005-P “In God We Rust” Kansas State Quarter
An intriguing minting mishap occurred with the 2005 Philadelphia minted quarter. The standard “In God We Trust” becomes a humorous “In God We Rust,” adding an extra $100 to its value. Ensure you check for the missing ‘T’ on this 25-cent coin for a unique addition to your collection.
2. 1999 Wide AM Reverse Lincoln Cent
In 1999, the U.S. Mint issued two types of Lincoln Cents with subtle irregularities, fetching anywhere from $45 to $530 depending on condition. To assess its value, you’ll need to inspect the reverse side. The ‘AM’ in ‘America’ will either be closely touching or unusually wide apart, with the latter being the scarcer variant.
3. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse
A minuscule error transformed a mere $0.01 coin into a hidden gem worth a staggering $3,500. The 1970 cent features doubled lettering in the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.” Moreover, there’s a variant with a small date in the numerals—if the ‘7’ in ‘1970’ aligns with the rest of the numbers, you possess the rarer small date version.
4. 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter With an Extra Leaf
Keep a keen eye on your 2004 Wisconsin state quarters; a printing blunder could fetch you $100. The coin’s reverse side showcases a cow, a wheel of cheese, and a corn cob. The anomaly lies in the corn husk. If your coin sports an additional leaf on the left side of the bottom of the corn cob, you’ve stumbled upon a rare find.
5. 2005-D Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel
The Jefferson nickel has a buffalo on the reverse side, and if you have one from 2005, be sure to check for this deformity that makes it worth more than $0.05. If the buffalo on your nickel has a speared line down the middle, you may be able to get upwards of $1,000 for the minting error.
6.1983 Copper Penny Minted on a Zinc Planchet
Ordinary pennies might not excite you, with their seemingly miniscule value. However, a 1983 copper penny struck on a zinc planchet is a hidden treasure. These pennies were meant to be made of copper but were mistakenly struck on zinc blanks, giving them a worth of up to $15,000. To identify one, you’ll need to check its weight; a copper penny would be heavier than its zinc counterparts.