As the world’s economy becomes increasingly digital, fewer people find themselves carrying physical dollar bills or change. If you happen to have a spare change collection gathering dust on a shelf, comb through it to see what type of coins you might have. Many pieces still in circulation are considered highly valuable collector’s items, and coin collectors might offer you more than the coin’s stated value.

Common Valuable Pocket Change

1. 1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse

At first glance, it may look like an ordinary penny. However, upon closer inspection, these limited edition pennies have an obvious mistake—outside of the mint mark, the entire obverse was stamped twice. Not all pennies created in 1969 have this mistake, but you can identify the difference from their raised lettering.

2. 2000-P U.S. ‘Cheerios’ Sacagawea Dollar

In 2000, the Treasury Department ran a special promotion, printing 5,500 Sacagawea dollars and placing them in Cheerios cereal boxes. Years later, it was discovered that some of the dollars had an irregularity where the eagle’s tail feather veins were more detailed on the reverse side. Since this design was only used on dollars created for distribution in Cheerios boxes, they’ve become increasingly valuable.

3. 1943 Bronze Lincoln

Amid World War II, the U.S. government sought to preserve useful bronze by minting pennies using zinc-coated steel planchets. However, a batch from 1943 was accidentally minted using bronze and sent into circulation. Many counterfeits have been created since the coin has become valuable. It’s easy to spot the difference with the use of a magnet. If the penny sticks to the magnet, it’s fake.

4. 2004 Wisconsin State Extra Leaf Quarter

From 1999 to 2008, the Treasury Department minted special edition coins with unique images representing each state. A 2004 batch of Wisconsin quarters have a unique separator. The currency die used was defective, and as a result, a group of them appear to have an extra leaf on the corn husk.

5. 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime

The original versions of these dimes had a specific mint letter on their face, but a particular batch was distributed with this detail omitted. If you have a Roosevelt dime from 1982, check just below the neck of his bust. If it lacks a mint marker, it’s a valuable item for a coin collector.

 

If you find yourself in possession of any valuable coins, take them to Collector’s Palace Coins & Jewelry in Streetsboro, OH. As the area’s premier pawn shop and consignment store, they’ll help you turn your pocket change into a big payday. Call (330) 626-2464 to speak to a representative or learn more online.