Finding rare coins in circulation could mean a valuable discovery. Although some of these six coins are fairly common, each was described as worth more than its original face value.
Lincoln Wheat Cents
Most pennies minted after 1934 were described as bringing two to three times face value. Common-date wheat cents made before 1934 generally brought 5 to 10 cents, while scarce dates or low-mintage pieces could sell for hundreds or thousands of times face value. Examples in this category included, without being limited to: the 1909-S VDB Cent, 1914-D Cent, 1922 plain Cent, 1931-S Cent, and 1955 Doubled-Die Cent.
1943 Copper Lincoln Penny
This is among the most sought-after rare coins, with only about 40 known examples. In 1943, the U.S. Mint changed penny production from copper to zinc-coated steel. The few copper cents that passed through that change were described as potentially worth tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. To check a possible copper 1943 cent, the original article suggested applying a magnet: magnetic pieces are common steel cents, worth less than a dollar.
Jefferson Wartime Silver Nickels
Made from 1942-1945, these nickels combined copper, silver, and manganese so nickel supplies could be reserved for wartime needs. A large mint mark above Monticello’s dome on the reverse identifies them. At the time of publication, they were reported to be worth close to $1.
1984 and 1997 “Double-Ear” Lincoln Pennies
A production error gave Lincoln’s profile two earlobes on one ear, distinguishing these cents. At the time of publication, the article reported values from $25 to $250.
Roosevelt Silver Dimes
For its first 18 production years, from 1946-1964, the Roosevelt dime was made primarily of silver. Later dimes used copper and nickel instead. At the time of publication, silver examples were reported to be worth $1 – $2, based on condition.
2005-D Jefferson Bison Nickel
Another minting-error rarity, this nickel has a mark resembling a spear running through the bison. At the time of publication, it was reported to be worth from $50 to $2,500.
Rare coins appear in limited circulation by definition, but the original article noted that checking a change jar could still reveal one of these valuable coins.
