Experts Say These Rare Coins Are Super Valuable – And Here’s How To Spot Them

Have you ever paid with cash and afterward realized that you’ve been given an out-of-date coin with your change? You probably just threw out that old nickel or dime thinking it was worthless. But next time, hold onto it: there are certain collectible coins that could make you a small fortune. You just have to know which ones to look for...

1. Lincoln Memorial Cent

In 1972 the U.S. Mint released into circulation a special cent that featured Abraham Lincoln’s profile. Unfortunately, though, it was soon discovered that the coin had a glaring mistake: the inscription above and to the side of Honest Abe had been doubled. But while the error may have been embarrassing at the time, the 1972 Lincoln Memorial Cent Doubled Die Obverse has since become a sought-after item for coin-hunters. Incredibly, one even sold for $14,400 in a 2019 auction.

2. Roosevelt Dime

During the 1980s, the Philadelphia Mint printed the letter “P” on all dimes in order to denote their place of origin. That is, except for one coin bearing Franklin D. Roosevelt’s image, which was circulated without any discerning marks. The result of an absent-minded mint worker, the Roosevelt Dime, 1982-P MS has since sold for as high as $1,500.

3. “Double Ear” Lincoln Penny

When printing images of U.S. presidents on their coins, minters should arguably be striving to create as flattering likenesses as possible. Sadly, though, this wasn’t the case in the late 1990s, when the U.S. Mint created a penny of one particular American leader that saw him sporting a doubled-up ear lobe. Still, owing to this strange discrepancy, the 1997 “Double Ear” Lincoln Penny coin can now fetch as much as $250.

4. Kansas “In God We Rust” State Quarter

Spelling is everything – especially when it comes to putting your country’s motto on a coin. But unfortunately, a spillage of grease during the minting of this state quarter led to the apt typo “In God We Rust” being printed instead. Awkward. As the coins are still in circulation, copies of the so-called 2005-P Kansas “In God We Rust” State Quarter are generally worth around $5 at most, which isn’t all that much. But don’t worry: some high-grade examples could each earn as much as $100. So, make sure you check those quarters and keep your eyes peeled for any missing T’s in that famous slogan. You could be in for a nice chunk of cash, after all! You can thank us later.