What Valuable Coins May You Have in Your Pocket?

Have you ever wondered if that old coin you've had for years holds more value than you initially thought? I’m Tatyana Zhuk, Product Owner at CoinID, an innovative application that identifies coins and assists in uncovering their true worth. In this article, I will delve into the realm of valuable coins and explain why you don’t need to be a professional numismatist to understand how much money you can get thank your collection.

Why Some Coins Are More Expensive Than Others

Several factors contribute to the high value of certain coins. As a rule, they are rarity, historical significance, and unique characteristics. That’s why coins with limited mintages, errors, or variations, and those linked to historical events or figures often command higher prices within the collector's market. But that’s not all! It’s also crucial to understand that a coin's value can fluctuate based on market demand and conditions.

Easy Evaluation With a Mobile App

As you can see, determining the value of a coin can be a daunting task, particularly for those not well-versed in numismatics. This is where coin-identifying mobile apps prove to be immensely helpful. With just a few taps, you can effortlessly identify and find out the worth of your coins, eliminating the need to sift through catalogs or scour online forums. For instance, CoinID is powered by AI technologies and an extensive coin database to provide accurate and up-to-date pricing information.

Valuable Coins Worth Over $1,000

Now that you know how to quickly find out a coin’s worth, it’s time to check your collection—maybe you are sitting on a goldmine? Here are just a few examples of coins worth a fortune.

The 1972 Double Die Penny. In 1972, a limited number of pennies were struck with a doubled die, resulting in a distinct doubled effect on the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”. Approximately 250,000 coins were minted with this error, so there’s a non-zero chance that one may be in your collection. This coin usually sells for around $500, but some specimens can go for up to a thousand.

The Cheerios Dollar is a special version of the Sacagawea Dollar coin, created as a result of a partnership between General Mills and the U.S. Mint. During a promotional campaign in 2000, a limited number of these coins were placed in specific boxes of Cheerios cereal. The distinct feature of the Cheerios Dollar lies in its reverse design, which showcases enhanced tail feathers. This particular coin has gained recognition among collectors for its rarity and value. It can fetch anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 on the market, depending on its condition and grade.

The 1793 Half Cent is considered the smallest denomination ever produced by the U.S. Mint. The coins were produced from 1793 to 1857, but only the 1793 coins are considered valuable, fetching from $3,000 to $5,000 on average, with some pieces going for more than $10,000.

The 1909-S VDB Penny. This coin is known for featuring the initials "V.D.B." of the designer Victor David Brenner on the reverse side. People complained about these initials, saying it's “free advertising” for the designer. The next mintage of this coin had the initials completely removed, making the VDB penny quite rare. Today, this coin sells for $600 to $1,300.

The 1992 Close AM Reverse. This 1992 penny has a close "AM" on its reverse. The U.S. Mint used the wrong die and struck around 250,000 coins with the letters A and M squeezed together. These coins can be quite expensive, with mint-condition pieces fetching up to $20,000.

Before dismissing old coins as mere pocket change, take a moment to look up their potential value in CoinID. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover a hidden gem in your collection.