A lot of people don’t think about how much the coins they use every day are worth; some of them could be worth thousands of dollars. Collectors often like coins that have historical flaws, minting mistakes, or other features that make them stand out.
This makes them more valuable and rare. If you happen to have or find these three coins in circulation, they could be worth a lot of money:
1. A copper penny from 1943
Why It’s Valuable: Copper was in high demand during WWII, so the U.S. Mint mostly made pennies out of steel that had a zinc finish.
Some 1943 pennies, on the other hand, were made on copper planchets instead, which are blank discs used to make coins. Because of this rare mistake, the 1943 copper penny is one of the most sought-after coins in the United States.
Value: If it’s in good shape, a 1943 copper penny can fetch anywhere from $100,000 to over $200,000, based on how valuable it is historically. In 2019, a sale sold one of these very rare coins for more than $200,000.
To tell it apart, most 1943 pennies are made of steel that is silver in color and sticks to a magnet. A copper penny, on the other hand, won’t be magnetic. To be sure, use a magnet test and have a professional look it over if it passes.
2. The 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter has an extra leaf error.
Why It’s Valuable: The U.S. Mint made Wisconsin state quarters in 2004. They had a cow, a cheese wheel, and a cornstalk on them. It’s very rare for minting mistakes to happen, but some coins were made with an extra “high” or “low” leaf on the cornstalk.
Value: Collectors love coins with this “extra leaf” mistake because they are so rare. These coins can be worth $300 to $1,500, depending on how good they are. More valuable types might sell for even more, especially if they are well taken care of.
How to Find It: Pay close attention to the cornstalk on the back of the quarter. Coins that have the mistake will have an extra leaf either on top of or below the other leaves. If you see one, have a professional look at it because it could be worth a lot of money.
3. The 1972 Lincoln Cent (Double Die Obverse)
Why It’s Important: Double die mistakes happen when the die hits the same coin twice, leaving a small offset that makes some parts of the coin look like they are twice as big.
There was a double die reverse (front) on some Lincoln cents made in 1972. The words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” stand out the most. Because of this mistake, fans love to go after it.
Value: An reverse double die penny from 1972 can be worth anywhere from $100 to over $1,000, depending on how good it is. The price can go up a lot for higher-grade, never-been-used copies.
How to Find It: Check out the words on the front of the coin with a magnifying glass. If the die is a real double, the words will double in a way that can be seen. If it looks like it has this rare mistake, you might want to get it checked out by a professional and given a grade.
Ways to Check Your Change
It can be fun to find expensive coins, but you need to be good at looking for them. To improve your chances, here are some ideas:
1. Use a Magnifying Glass: A lot of valuable coins have small features that make them stand out, like extra leaves or small doubling. You can see these small differences better with the help of a magnifying glass.
2. Look for Errors and Rare Years: Coins that were made with mistakes or during important events are likely to be worth more. Keep an eye out for well-known mistake coins; they are more likely to be worth something.
3. Check Coins That Are Already in Good Shape: Coins that are brand new and have never been used are usually worth more. It could be worth a lot of money if you find a mistake coin in great shape.
Finally, some thoughts
These three coins, along with many other mistake and rare coins, show that real gems can be found in everyday things.
It’s worth looking at those small, forgotten coins, whether you’re going through your pocket change or an old coin collection. One good find can make the whole search worth it.
